The World of Mirrors is a solo exhibition by emerging Egyptian artist Jamal Bassiouni which is currently taking place at Artbooth Gallery in Abu Dhabi. It presents Bassiouni’s latest series of vibrant paintings that explore ancient Egyptian beliefs regarding enlightenment and the afterlife. The show will be available to visit until the 15th of April, 2024.
In the exhibited artworks inspired by the ancient Egyptian conception of the afterlife and solar boats, Bassiouni delves into the soul’s constant search for light and purpose. Speaking about this source of his inspiration, he says that the concept of solar barques that transport souls to the other realm is rooted in his childhood memories of the sea of Alexandria and thus has led him on a personal journey of discovery.
Courtesy of the artist and Artbooth Gallery.
Celebrating cultural heritage, Bassiouni’s art combines Art Deco elements with ancient symbols. His brightly coloured paintings, full of geometric patterns and intricate motifs, invite viewers into a personal space of reflection and emotion. The artist bridges the worlds of the visible and the invisible, portraying the interplay between ancient wisdom and modern artistic expressions.
About the artist
Jamal Bassiouni (b. 1993, Alexandria, Egypt) is a painter and sculptor living and working in his hometown. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Alexandria University with a BFA degree in 2016, which was followed by earning an MFA in Oil Painting and Drawing from the same university in 2016. Currently, Bassiouni leads workshop training programmes at the Arts School of Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Courtesy of the artist and Artbooth Gallery.
With his thesis revolving around beliefs in ancient Egyptian paintings, Bassiouni studied colour relations and their influence on modern art. In his practice informed by his enduring interest in ancient Egyptian art and patterns, he employs such mediums as acrylics and pastels on paper to create vivid symbolic art pieces. Bassiouni’s works explore themes related to nature and history, which include our relationship with nature and ourselves. Working in a spontaneous manner, the artist’s compositions and subject matter often change during the painting process as his intuition guides the final picture.
Bassiouni has taken part in several Youth Salons and General Salons through the Ministry of Culture in Egypt. In 2014, the artist was among the participants of a videography workshop at the École Supérieure d’Art – Aix en Provence (France); in 2015, he displayed his creations at the Biennale des Jeunes Créateurs de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée. He also exhibited his works in Dubai.
To learn more about The World of Mirrors, please visit the official website of Artbooth Gallery.
You might also be interested in visiting Some seasons: Fereydoun Ave and the Laal Collection, 1959-2019.
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