Many art students find themselves uncertain about their future after graduation, torn between two unappealing options: the multinational advertising job that will probably consume their life dry, and the low-profile, low-income career at one of the already established art galleries or schools. Many dream of opening up their own gallery, but few actually succeed.
Farida Dorra, Heba Nawara, Nour Omar were fortunate to be sharing the same passion and eagerness to turn their dream to reality. Three months ago, the three women, all in their early 20s, decided to turn Dorra’s basement into a lodge for not only their artwork but for all other upcoming artists that face difficulties finding an affordable venue to showcase their work.
“It all started as an assignment for creativity class, recalls Omar, who graduated from the American University in Cairo (AUC) last spring with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. “We were required to come up with a visual display of where we see ourselves in five years, she added, “and I realized that I want to continue doing art in a way that could give me a stable living, without being confined in an office.
The class project gave birth to Hanfaninha (in Arabic let s make art ), a studio gallery designed to provide artists with a place to work and a guarantee of an exhibition venue.
In a splendid evening that attracted mostly young socialites, fresh graduates and college seniors, the opening of Hanfaninha Studio on Jan. 17 was a successful launch-pad for the project, as attendees continued to stroll down its entrance for the entire three-hour ceremony.
The venue quickly filled up with dozens of friendly faces congratulating the young artists on such “an impressive start.
“I think for young people to pull something together of this magnitude is a huge undertaking, said Kim Boyd, a Canadian who was visiting Cairo at the time.
“It was very surprising; it exceeded my expectations, said Dorra, also a fresh graduate, adding that by the end of the night, more than 20 artists filled out an application form to be considered for the selection process that will start at the beginning of each month.
Artists who are interested in using the studio or showcasing their work in it will be required to submit a short proposal of their intended project along with samples of their work.
While applying artists will be able to use the space to work and exhibit in return for a fixed fee (LE 700 per month for the studio), Hanfaninha will be responsible for curation and publicity prior to every exhibition, acquiring 15 percent of the price of sold artworks of group exhibitions and 25 percent for solos.
“I love it, said Dana Moussa, commending the young artists on their initiative. “It is a relaxed atmosphere that gives young people the chance to work and exhibit at the same time . for very reasonable prices.
Moussa, a graduate of international affairs from Northeastern University, is currently showcasing dyed traditional Palestinian scarves (hatta) with hand-made designs patched on them.
After hattas made their way to international fashion runways, Moussa thought that if street vendors in Boston can make money out of classic black and white hattas then she can probably do the same with a little twist.
Situated on the ground floor of a villa on Mohamed Mazhar Street, Zamalek, Hanfaninha is comprised of two compartments: an outdoor garden that leads to the gallery and a two-room indoor studio with a kitchenette and a bathroom.
The indoor working place, although designed to function as a space for artists to work, is aided with sufficient lighting to be used as additional exhibiting space. The indoor section is currently showcasing Moussa’s scarves along with a jewelry collection by young designer Dalia Hamdallah.
Hamdallah, an AUC graduate, is presenting a collection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces, all combining copper with semi-precious stones creating inimitable pieces that will surely light up any outfit.
At the opening, the garden was studded with flower baskets leading to the gallery, a wooden gazebo with white cloth stretched along its roof and sides, holding the works of Amy Arif, Dorra, Nawara and Omar.
Arif, a friend of the three young artists, is also showcasing her recent collection at Hanfaninha’s first exhibition.
While Omar’s pieces represent human interaction, the imprints people leave in our lives and the memories that surround each of them, Dorra’s collection includes a series of paintings outlined by lines, colors and sequels. Dorra fuses different colors of oil paint into beautiful, eye-soothing pieces.
Inspired by Cairo’s ordinary buildings, Nawara watchfully portrays the cracks in the walls of the many buildings that make up the city. The cracks, although fractured, weak and perhaps imperfect, are a symbol of the capital, a distinguishing feature we’ve grown accustomed to.
Arif’s collection “focuses on the action rather than the image; it mirrors both the creative process of making art and the freedom of the artist’s pencil.
“I think juniors are becoming more and more creative. It is very nice to come see their exhibition, said Fahima Sadek, an attendee at the opening.
“[Their works] are quite different, very modern, very chic.
Hanfaninha is currently exhibiting the works of Amy Arif, Farida Dorra, Heba Nawara and Nour Omar, as well as jewelry and scarves by Dalia Hamdallah and Dana Moussa from Jan. 17 to Jan. 29It is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm
Villa Dorra41 Mohamed Mazhar St.,Zamalek, Cairo
