Red Lilies by Eman Osman contemplates shades of red
CAIRO: Hidden on the crowded street of Talaat Harb in downtown Cairo is a showcase of masterpieces by Eman Osman that reflect political and social life in aesthetically pleasant paintings.
Although the show, entitled “Red Lilies, is showing at the premises of the Manulana Azad Center for Indian Culture, the artist is Egyptian and the issues reflected in her works are that of people’s feelings in Egypt, concentrating mostly on women.
Many themes are reflected in the paintings, as they were not tailored for this exhibition. The one feature they have in common is technique; using Goach paints on wood canvas.
Osman believes in the power of color, and this is clear in all her work. Red in all its shades, including orange and fuchsia, dominate in the show, mixed boldly with each other, although they are difficult colors to blend. “I love to do that, she says, “they cause shock and a blurry effect, which I have done on purpose.
Not only are the paintings bold in color but also in symbolism. “Every painting has its meaning. If it doesn’t have a subject inside of me I’ll never do it, says the artist.
“I don’t see, I don’t hear, I don’t speak, are three paintings embodying a saying that is directly related to the situation of women in Egypt, or more generally in the Arab world. An abstract figure of a woman painted in white is at the center of each of the three, surrounded by bold, warm colors bringing out the figures that are either covering their eyes, ears or mouth.
Sally Ahmed, an assistant professor at the faculty of fine arts, comments “[Osman] stresses a lot on ‘the woman’ in her work, trying to solve women’s issues as much as she can through art.
Another set are two large paintings with a disfigured white object in the center that appears to have a human shape. On the top in gold Arabic calligraphy is the word shaheed, meaning “martyr.
“The human being I express here is what I believe is the purest person, the martyr, who is willing to give up his life, she says.
In addition to coloring and technique, upon close examination the paintings have something else in common: leaves. In each and every work of art leaves are painted as if they are flying through. “They give some life. I throw in the leaves left and right and it gives movement like wind to the painting, she explains.
Osman is currently working in advertising and cartoon animation. In 2005 she was awarded an award for children literature by first lady Suzanne Mubarak for her book “Daily Life of a Primitive Human, teaching children about simple discoveries.
Don’t miss the Red Lilies exhibition by Eman Osman showing until July 20 at the Manulana Azad Center for Indian Culture (MACIC), 23 Talaat Harb St., Downtown.
