Much of lat artist Mohamed Ismail’s work on display in Safar Khan, and indeed much of his work in general, is an expression of his love for the female form; a love that grew with every environment he lived in.
Despite his death in 1993, the style of Ismail’s work has lost none of its contemporary relevance, not least because of its wide range of influences.
A native of Zagazig, Ismail’s penchant for the Mediterranean is evident in the many places he chose to live and work in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and is manifest in his work.
After spending prolonged periods in Spain, Greece and France, he left for North Africa, then Turkey, and Lebanon, before eventually departing from the Mediterranean basin for the Gulf, Iran and India.
Many of his canvases are an ode to the woman, in different cultures and contexts, with different roles and expectations.
On one, exaggerated female figures are painted in earthy hues of brown and amber, a representation of, and a tribute to, the African woman.
In others, Ismail uses backgrounds of grassy greens and yellows to express the closeness of the woman – the giver of life – to nature.
On others still the woman’s figure is composed of angled shapes, squares, rectangles and triangles, symbolizing the complexity of the urbane woman, likely inspired by his experiences in the capitals of 1970’s Europe, Turkey and Lebanon.
Ismail’s migration east eventually took him to Japan, which he considered his spiritual home, and where he would reach the pinnacle of an already award-laden career.
Here his work became more abstract, less grounded in nature, and more individualistic.
Paintings are fragmented, with curvaceous multi-coloured and metallic shapes set against white backgrounds.
In some, these coloured shapes are women, surrounded by white and grey structures, symbolizing her naturalizing presence in Japan’s built-up and technologically driven cities.
Many of Ismail’s works are now displayed in the galleries of Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki.
Even more than his various awards, it was likely his greatest personal honor to see his paintings revered in his home away from home.
Exhibit is showing Mon-Sat, 10 am-2 pm & 5-9 pm until Nov. 10 at Safar Khan Gallery, Zamalek. For information call (202) 7353314 or email [email protected]
