MARRIOTT BUZZ NO. 15 - 2019

24 A R T & C U LT U R E Zamalek’s Premier Galleries Awash With Color and Creativity This Spring By: Ashraf Reda The island of Zamalek, while also being the home of the Cairo Marriott, is the art hub of the country, and home to most of greater Cairo’s premier art galleries. As one of the most influential centers of art in the Middle East, Zamalek’s eclectic collection of galleries has something for everyone. This spring comes with even more distinctive creative inspiration from some of the most celebrated names in Egyptian contemporary art, and some exciting debutants, with one notable foreign name on the calendar as well. The art on display in Zamalek’s main galleries this season promises to be another enriching and soul-searching illustrative journey for everyone from discerning art critics to casuals alike. Established in 1968, Safarkhan is unanimously recognized as Zamalek’s and indeed the country’s leading gallery, steeped in the career and reputation of its pioneering founder, Sherwet Shafei. For the lead up into spring, Safarkhan brought forth two distinctive contemporary talents whom the gallery itself unearthed and brought into the public eye to widespread acclaim. Ashraf Zamzami’s “Solitude” has been his first exhibition after nearly two decades in hiatus, but he made his long-awaited return in resounding style and success. From February 18 th to March 13 th , patrons were treated to a magnificent display of expressionist mastery. “Solitude” can be characterized as a powerful re-awakening of sorts for Zamzami, consisting of arguably some of the best work of his career, undoubtedly in a class of its own amongst contemporary Egyptian art. The artist’s truly original style of expressionism is foremost the product of the deepest introspection and introversion that can only be attained in the true solitude of one’s mind and body. This newfound composition style is also Ashraf Zamzami Reda Abdel Salam Ahmed Saber