Maged Mekhail
EGYPTIAN, I AM.
Founded in 2010, ArtTalks is an educational, advisory and exhibition space in Egypt in support of Modern and Contemporary Egyptian Visual Arts. Our two fold objective is to be a forum for knowledge and a search engine for Egypt’s next generation of contemporary artists. Our commitment, as we struggle to find answers regarding our national identity, is to protect unequivocally the freedom to create, to mentor and exhibit highly talented young artists and to expose art lovers to outstanding contemporary art from the Middle-East. Half of ArtTalks’ income is reinvested into an Art Fund “Hassala” with the objective of supporting talented yet struggling artists and publishing books on selective late and living artists.
ArtTalks | Arts Education & Exhibition | Cairo Viewing: February 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m Runs through to February 23rd, 2013 For all enquiries, please contact: Lisa Lounis: lisa@arttalks.org - +201003970141 General Information: info@arttalks.org - +201005550585
Maged Mekhail’s Statement “Egypt is not a country we live in, but a country that lives within us.” (Pope Shenouda III.)
Egyptian, I am. Fatenn Mostafa, Founder ArtTalks As part of our mission to act as a search engine for Egypt’s next generation of Contemporary Artists, ArtTalks is proud to present the first solo show for Maged Mekhail. Born in 1982, Mekhail graduated from Helwan Fine Arts Institute in 2004, after which he trained during 4 years under the tutelage of Egyptian pivotal artist, Adam Henein. Armed with outstanding craftsmanship and intensive training, Mekhail carved a distinctive and independent direction for himself, culminating in winning the 2011 Sculpture Award at the Ministry of Culture’s Youth Salon. Mekhail’s passion for Egypt’s glorious past is prominent in his rich body of work. He manages to blend Pharaonic, Coptic or Greek lines onto his work. His forms are usually semi-abstractions of the human figure - suggestive celebration of the sensual female body or icons of our proud Egyptian Coptic and Muslim heritage. As we struggle and argue about our Egyptian identity, Maged Mekhail gently reminds us of what we stand for - a diverse, rich and tolerant people who have shaped the past and are able to embrace the future.
Mekhail according to Adam Henein " I always like to watch him work and see his final oeuvre. It is always a pleasurable sight. I am proud of Maged's passion combined with craftsmanship."
Mekhail according to Dr. Sobhy Guirguis We find that Maged’s early works contain a visible Greek influence. And to Maged’s credit, he is able to maintain the old established values of sculpting. Some may see that some of his graceful works are influenced by the work of global sculptor Giacometti but we need to realize that not every graceful work is related to Giacometti.
Mekhail according to Art Critic Fatma Ali For a long time I could see Maged Mekhail as a gifted sculptor. Soon I found out that he is an equally brilliant painter.
“Special thanks and recognition of El Aloussi Foundry” The factory with the sole right to cast Mr. Maged Mekhail’s bronze statues, for their superior cast and craftmanship.
Khetm el Nesr, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 46x13x17 cm.
Madame Iman, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 80 x 8 x 32 cm
Zeinat, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 46 x 27 x 11 cm
Arrousset el Mouled, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 41 x 24 x 15 cm
Democracy and Freedom, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 60 x 45 x 20 cm The work is based on Mar Girgis or St George tale – one of Egypt’s most venerated saints, who came to symbolize self-sacrifice.
The Horse, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 30 x 17 x 30 cm
Abdel Kader, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 45 x 17 x 15 cm
Aida, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 23 x 13 x 31 cm
Assia, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 70 x 25 x 22 cm
Sarah, 2011
Bronze Dimensions: 50 x 17 x 25 cm
Hannah, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 55 x 18 x 19 cm
El Hekma, 2010
Bronze Dimensions: 35 x 25 x 15 cm
Bahga, 2012
Bronze Dimensions: 55 x 55 x 50 cm
Egypt, my Love 2011
Bronze Dimensions: 165 x 28 x 36 cm
Om Kolthoum, 2013
Bronze Dimensions: 90 x 15 x 12 cm
Karioka, 2013
Acrylic on wood Dimensions: 41 x 32 cm
En3am, 2013
Acrylic on wood Dimensions: 105 x 110 cm
Gabriella, 2013
Acrylic on wood Dimensions: 35 x 20 cm
Frida, 2013
Acrylic on wood Dimensions: 26 x 20 cm Framed: 62 x 56 cm
Farewell to Dr. Sobhy Guergues The giant within
On Sunday 20th of January 2013, Egypt lost one of its most important artists – Dr. Sobhy Guergues. At the age of 83, Dr. Guergues died peacefully surrounded by his family in his home in Daher, Cairo, Egypt. For over 60 years, Dr. Sobhy Guergues devoted his life to his passion – his art. Shying away from the limelight, he consciously and deliberately isolated himself in his innocent and absolutely fascinating world of sculpture and painting. His body of work consists of abstract geometric shapes based on figurative implications, tackling human conditions and emotions. Living and building a world of his own, Dr. Guergues succeeded in mixing innocence and freedom in a semi-minimalist way – whereby the child inside the man overwhelms his character and consequently his work. Egypt lost an icon – of the magnitude of Mahmoud Mokhtar. Dr. Guergues, You will be sincerely missed, but never forgotten.
©A.R. Publication
Maged Mekhail