Not many people know what a palimpsest is. The dictionary meaning is: “A manuscript (usually written on papyrus or parchment) on which more than one text has been written with the earlier writing incompletely erased and still visible.
Egyptian artist Nermine Hammam based her currently exhibited works on the palimpsest technique that was used by the 16th century artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio to tackle the risqué topic of exorcism in Cairo’s Coptic churches.
Italian Caravaggio (1593-1610) dubbed the father of Baroque art, was a revolutionary painter who created portraits of religious figures closely resembling everyday people.
He was considered enigmatic, rebellious and fascinating during his era.
These characteristics are common in Hammam’s work.
She explains that she used to go to this church once a week and take pictures of the exorcisms.
“Then I started seeing the relationships between people, and all of a sudden they took all these religious postures so naturally, she says.
Despite the fact that it is a photography exhibit, each framed work looks like an old painting from the renaissance period.
Hammam, who has been a graphic designer for many years, digitally altered the pictures, giving them so much texture that you can practically feel the paint where none was used.
The artist clearly has a gift of capturing human emotion.
According to Leslie Croxford, a professor at the British University in Cairo, “she uses frightening images of individuals to talk about fundamental aspects of human nature. She is talking here about the ways in which human beings connect with the deepest parts of themselves beyond personality.
In the past Hammam had portrayed controversial subjects like the self-flagellation practiced by the Shia during Ashoura, so depicting pain is not new to her.
In this show, her camera captures the exhaustion and serenity of men and women of all ages as they rid themselves of evil spirits.
Her husband, businessman Karim Greiss says: “She always chooses issues that have to do with religion mixed with folklore.
It is hard to miss the religious elements that permeate her work. For example, in the foreground of on picture is a veiled Muslim girl being exorcised, while in the background, there is a portrait of Jesus.
William Wells, founder of the Townhouse Gallery where the exhibition takes place comments on this religious unity.
“Isn’t it interesting that in Cairo where you have a debate going on in the newspapers and in the media about problems between Christians and Muslims, on the ground, in reality people are leading their daily lives together and are sharing geographical spaces, daily experiences and even rituals. I think she [Hammam] has captured that beautifully, he says.
Hammam has a degree in filmmaking from New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. She worked in the field for four years with Simon and Goodman Picture Company (SGPC), acclaimed Egyptian director Youssef Chahine and had assisted in the production of the Hollywood film “Malcolm X directed by Spike Lee.
In 1994 she started a graphic design company Equinox which is behind the branding of many trendy outlets like Diwan bookstore, Cilantro and Tabasco.
She has exhibited her photography many times both in Egypt and abroad.
“Palimpsest The Townhouse Gallery 10 Nabrawy St., Downtown off Champillion 10am-2pm and 6-9pmOn until March 21, 2006
