Iconic Grand Egyptian Museum is set to enthral art lovers at Art Cairo
- Last updated: January 24, 2025 | 11:01
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Art Cairo announces key galleries participating in its sixth edition, set to take place at the iconic Grand Egyptian Museum from 8 - 11 February 2025, with a VIP Preview on 7 February. The Fair returns this year under the theme “Peace to All Nations,” a call to contributors and attendees to understand art as a powerful tool for connection and hope amid challenging times.
Promising a dynamic and immersive experience for art enthusiasts as well as seasoned and aspiring collectors, the sixth edition of Art Cairo will offer a seamless blend of history and contemporary art. The experience of this temporal dialogue will be enhanced by the Fair’s incomparably unique setting in the recently reopened Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s most comprehensive and coveted collection of rare ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Mohamed Younis, Founder and Managing Director of Art Cairo said, “Art Cairo is a catalyst for cultural dialogue and a springboard for growth across the art sector. It unites diverse voices, amplifies emerging talent, supports existing ones, and empowers the role of art in positively shaping our society by promoting human connection.
By bridging the local and global, Art Cairo transforms creativity into a driving force for progress, preserving our MENA heritage while inspiring future generations. A nexus for creative contemplation and, more importantly, human connection, Art Cairo this year aims to resound the collective call for hope and togetherness.”
Art Cairo 2025 welcomes renowned galleries from the region and beyond that embody both the diversity within and the cultural specificity of MENA contemporary art. Le Lab (Egypt) will highlight critically acclaimed contemporary Egyptian artist Khaled Hafez whose works unpick capitalist mythologies and dichotomies, informed by his experiences in Egypt, France and the US.
Misr (Egypt) will present the work of Iraqi Kurdish artist Serwan Baran, which examines the Iraqi sociopolitical panorama and human condition. Nadine Fayad Art Gallery (Lebanon) will feature the dynamic work of Raouf Rifai, renowned for exploring identity and heritage through his signature “Darwich” figure, while Gallery One (Ramallah, Palestine) champions Palestinian contemporary artists including Ibrahim Jawabreh whose contemporary visual artwork delves into themes of identity, space, and human connection.
Fann À Porter (UAE) will showcase Mohammed Hawajri’s “The cactus” - a powerful symbol of Palestinian resilience, patience, and a deep connection to his cultural identity and upbringing in Al Bureij Refugee Camp, Gaza, Palestine. Wadi Finan Art Gallery (Jordan) will present a multi-generational roster of Levant and North African artists.
These include Zaid Shawwa, whose abstract expressionist and deconstructed cubist work reflect his own lived experiences, and Saoud Mardam Bey, whose work traces day to day life in the Middle East in a mesmerising and unique visual language.
Salam Art Gallery (Iraq) will spotlight prominent Iraqi artists, including Salam Omar whose artistic career has been profoundly shaped by his experience of the Iran-Iraq war. This year, for the first time Art Cairo is also expanding its reach to Europe, featuring international galleries that represent artists from the Middle East, including French gallery Art du Temps and Dutch gallery SANAA.
With galleries exhibiting this year from 10 countries across the MENA region and beyond, Art Cairo seeks to foster cultural exchange and spotlight the diverse creative outputs across the Arab world, all uniquely informed by their respective cultural identities. Syrian artist Nizar Sabour will present a solo exhibition unveiling his latest series Egyptian Sacophagi, a product of an ongoing 2-month residency in Cairo facilitated by Art Cairo and Kaf Gallery, based in Beirut, participating in the Fair for the third year.
The works Sabour created during the residency are a continuation of his acclaimed Syrian Sarcophagi and will honour influential contemporary figures using the sarcophagus as a visual symbol, drawing on elements of ancient Egyptian and Coptic art as well as contemporary techniques. The series includes the late beloved singer Umm Kulthum, distinguished writer Tawfiq Al-Hakim and the legendary composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab, as well as two living icons: Farouk Hosny, Egypt’s former Minister of Culture, and Fairuz, the legendary Lebanese singer.
In partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, Art Cairo’s 6th edition will also present an exclusive exhibition showcasing masterpieces from pioneering Egyptian artists, curated from the Egyptian Museum of Modern Art. A one-of-a-kind showcase highlighting the rich legacy of Egypt’s modern art movement and iconic works that have shaped the country’s cultural identity, the exhibition will feature Inji Aflatoun (1924-1989), who left an indelible mark on Egyptian modern art with her feminist surrealist-inspired artwork, Gazbia Sirry (1925-2021) celebrated for her boldly expressionist depictions of Egyptian heritage and Tania Halim (1919-2003), known for her folkloric images of Egypt and Sudan.
Continuing Art Cairo’s annual Guest of Honour homage exhibition to influential artists, this year’s edition will feature a dedicated showcase honouring the life and work of Samir Rafi (1926-2004), reflecting his remarkable journey from Cairo to Paris and his enduring exploration of cultural identity.
A towering figure in modern Egyptian art, Rafi pioneered a unique visual language that masterfully fused surrealism with a deep connection to Egyptian heritage to reflect the cultural essence of his homeland. The displayed works including Femme à la Fleur (1952) and Momie Ressuscitée (1959) exemplify this ability to bridge Egypt’s ancient heritage with modern art’s innovative forms.
The Hiwar programme, meaning ‘dialogue’ in Arabic, is a vibrant series of panel discussions and in-conversation sessions that will run throughout the Fair, spotlighting the contemporary artistic landscape of the region.
Scheduled from 3 - 10 pm daily, the programme will feature thought-provoking conversations with leading cultural voices from the region. Highlights include a session featuring Valérie Didier-Hess, Business Development Director at Christie’s Middle East, and Dr. Hussam Rashwan, a distinguished Egyptian art collector and scholar, who explore their work in documenting and authenticating the artistic legacies of Mahmoud Said and Abdel Hadi El-Gazzar through comprehensive catalogues raisonnés, reflecting on the role of these catalogues in shaping modern art narratives and preserving cultural heritage.