BEAUTY AND THE BEAST | PORTFOLIO

BEAUTY and

the

BEAST

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CAIRO, EGYPT

SABHAN

A D A M

BEAUTY and

the

BEAST

HOSSAM

D I R A R

1 - 21 APRIL 2014

THE STORY

D

oes the universe have a border? And if it does, what does this borderline separate us from?

Why does the other side of the fence always seem greener? Why are millions of young Egyptians dreaming of crossing their borders even if it means risking their lives? Webster dictionary defines the word border as “a line separating one country from another or as a boundary between places”, implying knowledge of what lies beyond. Since we first looked at the stars, humans have been fascinated by the mysteries of what lies beyond the unknown borders.

“Where there be dragons” and “Terra Incognita” for example were terms used by ancient Roman and medieval cartographers to indicate unknown or unexplored territories on a map. Today, these words have disappeared from maps as men have explored seas and continents.

Yet the appeal and illusion arising from the unknown persist.

In his first solo exhibition, Alexandria-based visual artist Hady Boraey seeks to understand man's fascination behind what lies beyond one's borders. Challenging the mindset that the only solution for a better life requires a physical migration, Boraey questions the power of the psychological borders within our minds.

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untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

by

F ou n d er ,

F ate n n M ostafa

oes the universe have a border? And if it does, what does this borderline separate us from? Why does the other side of the fence always seem greener? Why are millions of young Egyptians dreaming of crossing their borders even if it means risking their lives? Webster dictionary defines the word border as “a line separating one country from another or as a boundary between places”, implying knowledge of what lies beyond. Since we first looked at the stars, humans have been fascinated by the mysteries of what lies beyond the unknown borders. “Where there be dragons” and “Terra Incognita” for example were terms used by ancient Roman and medieval cartographers to indicate unknown or unexplored territories on a map. Today, these words have disappeared from maps as men have explored seas and continents. Yet the appeal and illusion arising from the unknown persist.

In his first solo exhibition, Alexandria-based visual artist Hady Boraey seeks to understand man's fascination behind what lies beyond one's borders. Challenging the mindset that the only solution for a better life requires a physical migration, Boraey questions the power of the psychological borders within our minds.

With a distinctive painting technique and a thrilling imagination, Boraey has created a rich and textured world of fantasy depicting the illusion of another better life that could be had, by simply crossing the border – be it physical or psychological.

Metaphorically and symbolically, he takes us on a poetic and dramatic journey to discover the tempting yet scary unknown and to open new horizons.

And while the mystery of what lies beyond the borders of the earth is grand and captivating, Boraey uses the edge of the earth as a metaphor to highlight the mental struggle to find a way to belong.

The obsession and hope of many young Egyptians to cross the borders of their own country to go settle somewhere “where the grass looks greener” is but one way. For Boraey, Beyond Borders doesn't necessarily mean more planets or far away lands, but rather, a symbol of the relentless pursuit of happiness and the persistence of our youth to dream of a better life. This could in the end lead to a withdrawal from one's society into a utopian secluded community to achieve a sense of belonging.

In a world with rising violence, racism and wars, Hady Boraey offers a wake up a call that what is beyond our border – be it our country, city, neighborhood or simply inside each one of us, may in fact be similar to what lies inside that very border we so seek to leave – that we are one and the same, that

untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

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SABHAN

AD AM

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untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

THE BEAST

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EA C H

C AN V AS

I S

AN

E XP R E SSION

OF

M Y

J US T

D E E PE ST

EMOT IONS.

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Ev er y

n ew

w o r k

i s a n

l i k e

ex ec ut i o n

f ea s t

f o r

m e.

untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

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HOSSAM

D I R AR

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untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

THE BEAUTY

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untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

untitled . oil on canvas . 180 x 80 cm

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