Egypt’s capital, Cairo, is well known for its beautiful ancient monuments and bustling shopping. Contemporary art in Egypt, and Cairo in particular, seems likely to generate a buzz when viewed through a historical lens. See, for example, artist JR’s 2021 illusory artwork that made it look like a giant hand was supporting the Great Pyramid of Giza as its crown hovered over a base in an exhibition that also featured work by Ai-Da, Alexander Ponomarev and Lorenzo Quinn.
However, this great city also has a centuries-old artistic heritage that is the foundation on which Cairo’s modern art is built. As famous cultural centers are threatened and even UNESCO sites are slowly demolished to make way for new infrastructure as the city expands, the constant pressure of modern development has left artists and artists afraid of what the cultural situation will look like in five, ten or twenty years. years. Amidst this uncertainty, it is important that travelers seeking an artistic experience understand the importance of spaces that integrate art and culture, hone in on Cairo’s history and present it as a living artistic canvas.
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Beyond the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, the modern art scene is alive and well in this ancient city. There are organizations such as Culturvator / Art D’Egypte art consultancy, which attracts local and international artists and art lovers by organizing regular exhibitions of contemporary art, including in the ongoing series, “Forever is Now.” Held annually at the pyramids, its recent exhibitions have included the work of many artists from around the world, including JR (with the aforementioned hand), American artist Gisela Colón and Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr. Beyond “Forever Now,” the company curates many exhibitions and projects in historic sites in the greater Cairo region and abroad, combining contemporary artwork with historic buildings.
There are also a number of modern art galleries in Cairo, most of which are located in Zamalek on the Nile island of Gezira. Others, like Arcade, are associated with public art schools and aim to nurture the talents of young Egyptian artists. Others, such as Gypsum, host solo and group exhibitions designed to attract an international audience, while exhibitions such as Ubuntu showcase the work of artists from Egypt and abroad. Other art centers and galleries that you should visit in Cairo include:
In 1718
Founded by artist and activist Moataz Nasr in 2008, the modern non-profit arts and culture center is located in the Fustat neighborhood of Old Cairo. Since its inception, Darb 1718 has been a great example of the artistic community’s struggle for life.
The important institution, known for screening and hosting national and international art works and several artist workshops, faced a major setback earlier this year when its main building was demolished “without prior notice” to make way for the expansion of the highway. More than a hundred works of art were destroyed, but the center remains open, continuing to host public workshops, from cyanotype printing to acrylic pouring.
Safar Khan Art Gallery
The SafarKhan Art Gallery, the first to open in Cairo’s Zamalek district, has represented emerging and established artists from the Middle East and North Africa since 1968, when Roxanne Petridis created what would eventually become a center for the avant-garde. in the region but was opened as a shop selling Islamic artefacts. Today, the gallery is owned by Sherwet Shafei and bills itself as “the first home of contemporary Egyptian art.” SafarKhan is best known for championing modern Egyptian scholars such as Mahmoud Saïd and Hamed Nada, as well as contemporary talents such as Mohamed Abla and Omar El-Nagdi.
Salah Taher Gallery at the Cairo Opera House
The Cairo Opera House has become a cultural center not only in Egypt but also in the Middle East. The funds for this place were first donated to Japan after the visit of the former president of Egypt. Since its opening in 1988, it has become a valuable arts and culture center, hosting opera, ballet, theater, and art exhibitions.
Recently, the Salah Taher Gallery at the Cairo Opera House hosted the exhibition “Mariam,” which featured over fifty paintings by award-winning artist Mariam Waguih, Egypt’s first Fine Arts student with Down Syndrome.
TINTERA
TINTERA, a photographic art company with a gallery in Zamalek and offices in London, specializes in contemporary and historical photography, with a focus on photographs that capture the region. Their mission is to raise awareness of Egyptian art through conservation, research and exhibitions.
This space was initially created because Egypt, one of the most photographed countries of the 19th and 20th centuries, did not have a dedicated photography center or museum. The gallery, featuring works by respected artists including Ahmad Abdalla, Ibrahim Ahmed and Nermine Hammam, ultimately aims to bridge the gap between the history, present and future of photography in Egypt.
Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art
Located in Downtown Cairo, the Mashrabia Gallery is the oldest privately owned modern art gallery in the city. Since its opening in 1990, it has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for both emerging and established artists, with an emphasis on promoting accessibility to the arts.
The owner and curator, Stefania Angarano, said that Mashrabia was born out of a desire to build a connection between Egypt and the West. Since its opening, the center has worked to promote artists in Egypt and abroad, sharing often powerful political and social issues through its exhibitions and events.
Zamalek Art Gallery
Established more than twenty years ago, Zamalek Art Gallery focuses on promoting the work of modern and contemporary Egyptian artists and artists from the Middle East with ties to Egypt. It is most notable for its support of artists such as Mohamed Abla, Zeinab Al Sageny and Georges Fikry Ibrahim. The extensive exhibitions allow Zamalek to hold two exhibitions at a time—one with a well-known artist and one with an up-and-comer—and under the leadership of Naheda Khouri, the gallery brings the work of its artists to exhibitions and collaborates with several of the region’s top hotels to select the collections on display.
