Nagwa El-Ashri tours a group show that presents a panorama of contemporary Egyptian art "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist," said Pablo Picasso. Cordoba art gallery in Mohandessin has taken Picasso's comment to heart, concluding its current season with an exhibition likely to have a wide appeal. The group show includes paintings and sculptures by 50 artists, reflecting contemporary art in Egypt and including, among others, Hussein El-Gebali, Georges Bahgory, Nagwa El-Ashri, Gamil Shafiq, Hoda Murad, Heba Enayat, Ihab Shaker, Ali Desouki, Ezzeddin Naguib, Mohamed El-Tarawi, Ahmed Asqalani, Ibrahim Abdel-Malak and Abdel-Aziz Saab. Works by the late Ahmed Sabri are included as a tribute. Cordoba's director, Ahmed Sami, says the exhibition "aims to bridge the gap between generations". "By showcasing artists from the past and present it allows the layman to enjoy a panorama of the most influential proponents of the plastic art movement. They are gathered for the first time in one show, allowing visitors to know more about the techniques and styles used in various genres." The show displays works by a galaxy of artists inspired by Egypt's heritage. This group includes Ahmed El-Rashedi, Nazeer Khalil, Ali Desouki, Farouk Wagdi, Omar Abdel-Zaher, Abdel-Fatah El-Badri and Mohamed Youssef. Another group display paintings that depict Egypt's varied landscape. Among these latter are Ezzeddin Naguib, Sameh El-Bannany, Ibrahim Ghazala, Galal El-Husseini, Mohamed Ghanem, Mohamed El-Tarawi and Zahran Salama. In addition there are sculptures on show created by the likes of Ahmed Amin Assem, Mohamed Rizq and Kamel Gawish. The exhibition also includes works by pioneers in the field of press illustration -- Ihab Shaker, Abdel-Ghani Abul-Enein, Hassan Fouad and Heba Enayat -- while Bahgory showcases a kilim. The tribute paid to veteran artist Ahmed Sabri (1895-1955) is a timely reminder of how much he contributed to the local art scene. Born in Cairo, Sabri graduated from the School of Fine Arts in 1914. A year later he travelled to Paris to continue his studies. In 1926 he was awarded a prize at the Paris Salon Exhibition for the painting "After Reading". Sabri was a professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo, becoming head of the painting department in 1943. Generations of artists owe him thanks for founding the free studies section in the faculty. Sabri's portraits captivate viewers with their delicate portrayals of both the psychology and appearance of his sitters. The late Abdel-Ghani Abul-Enein is also showcased. He represents the second generation of the plastic art movement, associated with the 1919 Revolution. His work has yet to receive the critical acclaim it deserves. He delved deeply into Egypt's folk heritage and many of his paintings were inspired by folkloric traditions. He wasn't only a painter but designed folk costumes and also published illustrations in the press. A selection of his paintings is on permanent display at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Museum where they are exhibited alongside traditional costumes and silver jewellery collected by his wife, Reaaya El-Nemr. Among the sculptures it is pleasing to see Mohamed Rizq (1937-2008), who spent 30 years mastering bronze, creating delicate, simple and small pieces. Ibrahim Abdel-Malak's artistic journey is equally rich. He began as a designer of décor and illustrator in Sabah Al-Kheir and Rose El-Youssef magazines, and went on to create murals as well as wood and bronze sculptures. Cordoba's current show focuses on the wood pieces which Abdel-Malak once said spoke to people just as music does.
