Diwan bookstore in Zamalek hosted the official launch of a new book documenting the life of artist Abdel Ghani Abul-Enein.
Born in January in 1921, Abul-Enein exhibited a panache for painting and acting at an early age. He enrolled in the faculty of fine arts in 1946 before he was hired as an art designer in the popular magazine Rose El Youssef in 1951.
In 1956, Abul-Enein went in to found Sabah El Kheir magazine, and on the side, he remained a committed, innovative artist hungry for exploring and experimenting different avenues. His many talents included designing furniture and magazine covers. He also worked as an art director in folkloric theater.
Abul-Enein mastered a variety of creative artistic media, and the new publication displays his paintings, ink sketches, pictures of his set and costume design, portraits and cartoons.
The hardcover book, three years in the making, was organized and published by the Bahaa Eldin Foundation. Speaking on behalf of the organization his father mobilized, Ziad Bahaa Eldin was the guest speaker of the event.
“We’re attempting to keep things alive, he said.
Nagy Shoukry, who was a former colleague of the artist, is the curator and layout designer of the book. He reiterated the need to chronicle Egypt’s expressive past.
“There’s no real movement [today], he told Daily News Egypt.
Shoukry continued about the current state of Egypt’s art community by noting that so many people are struggling and therefore unwilling to spend free time to think or be creative.
“It’s a mentality change, he added.
The book is a beautiful celebration of one of Egypt’s most influential and impressive artists. His subject matter is distinctly Middle Eastern, vivid, folkloric – a beautiful gift even for those who cannot read the Arabic text.
Available at Diwan bookstores for LE 200.
