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Opening Reception حواديت يكنور | Kamal Yaknour's Tales | A Retrospective
On Tuesday, 26 November 2024 from 6 to 9 pm .
ArtTalks Gallery proudly presents a retrospective of Kamal Yaknour (1925-2000), a remarkable Egyptian modern painter whose evocative works celebrate the essence of Egyptian folk and ordinary life.
Yaknour’s artistic journey began in Cairo, where he drew inspiration from the rich traditions and vibrant ordinary life surrounding his studio in El-Ghouri, a district located in the heart of Islamic Cairo known for its rich history, traditional architecture, and significant landmarks.
Yaknour drew on popular Egyptian life and motifs derived from ancient and medieval customs, folk traditions, and mythology. He skillfully and harmoniously incorporated these motifs to present a distinctive and authentic vision that reflects the Egyptian daily reality. His paintings appear like icons, emanating a sense of ancient history, miniature art, or children's drawings. They are characterized by their lack of illusionistic depth and focus instead on the direct representaion of his subjects such as the vivid depictions of mulid's dolls, bejeweled fellahat, horse dances, Nubia, and daily life.
Yaknour's fascination and pride with the everyday life and culture of ordinary Egyptians is evident as he vividly conveys the essence of Egyptian identity and a deep-rooted connection to traditional heritage by employing thick paint and manipulating color and texture to create sculptural effects battling within the canvas.
Utilizing visual symbolism, Yaknour embeds specific meanings including references to traditional motifs like the Fatimid-era dolls and symbols such as horses, cats, and palm trees, which represent power, superstitions, and heritage respectively.
The portrayal of women in his art, often resembling traditional festival dolls, represents pride, joy, and eternity.
The exhibition highlights Yaknour’s' commitment to maintaining a connection with his heritage and resisting global art trends of the 1960s and 70s, preserving a unique sense of authenticity. His legacy is further enriched by his involvement in documenting Egyptian art and culture through three documentaries: Contemporary Egyptian Artist, The Artist and the Egyptian Countryside, and Art and the Relationship of Environment & Heritage.
Yaknour earned his Diploma in Painting from the Leonardo da Vinci Institute in 1952 and graduated from the American University in Cairo with a degree in English. Before joining the Leonarda da Vinci Institute, Yaknour studied in the 'Free Department' at the Egyptian School of Fine Arts in 1945. His career spans numerous solo exhibitions in Egypt and internationally, showcasing his unique artistic vision. Over his lifetime, he held 18 solo exhibitions, including producing notable murals for the Egyptian Railway Authority, Cairo Train Station, Sidi Gabr Train Station (Alexandria), Hilton Ramsis Hotel (Cairo), and the Omar Khayyam Restaurant at the Marriott Hotel (Cairo).
In addition to his artistic achievements, Yaknour was a significant figure in the art community. He served as the General Director of the Railway Authority’s General Affairs, the Secretary-General of the Painting Department of the Association of Egyptian Artists, as well as the president of the Al Ghouri Arts Society.
📍 Location: [ArtTalks Gallery - 8 El Kamel Mohamed - Zamalek
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
8 El Kamel Mohamed Street. Zamalek. Fourth floor. , Cairo, Egypt, 11211
