Only six years ago, the young granddaughter of Egypt’s most prominent musician, the late Mohamed Abdel Wahab, decided to explore her artistic side, drastically changing her life.
Yasmine Abdel Wahab quit her job in a multinational company to work on improving her hidden talents in oil painting and playing the piano.
Abdel Wahab has so far performed six concerts at the Cairo Opera House, once a year since 2001.
The young artist’s passion came out just a year after graduating from the American University in Cairo (AUC) with a BA in political science.
Her passion dawned on her “just like that . by coincidence, she says, while at university. She decided to pursue this by taking piano and painting classes.
“When people get older, they start discovering themselves more, said Abdel Wahab.
Her beautiful Zamalek home, adorned with dazzling antiques and furnished in a palette of warm reds and browns, with natural plants in the background, reminded me of her late grandfather’s golden era.
“He loved what he did, that is the thing I remember and love the most about my grandfather, says Abdel Wahab.
“Some people go on in their life doing what they do, leaving their hobbies on the side, but for my grandfather, his job was his hobby, Abdel Wahab added.
Abdel Wahab was only 13 when her grandfather passed away.
“My father used to tell me that he would leave a family gathering if an idea or a new melody came to his head, Abdel Wahab said.
Before I left, the budding pianist took me on an exclusive and personal tour to see her paintings, a treasure trove of pastel portraits where the facial expressions of her subjects are so vivid you can immediately tell how they feel.
Abdel Wahab hasn’t yet exhibited her work, hoping to improve before she opens herself up to public scrutiny.
In the meantime, her art will remain a form of self expression, her own escape from problems, and a way to unleash her creative energy.
