At the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, they had a retrospective exhibition of the prominent Egyptian sculpter Ahmed Abdel-Wahab (born in 1932) and I thought I would share. Abdel-Wahab is an eminent figure among contemporary Egyptian sculptors. He devoted his artistic experience in pursuit of a contemporary character to be the model of a pure Egyptian sculpture. The character of Akhenaton attracted his attention with its contemplative noble features and firm piety Abdel-Wahab epitomized Akhenaton in different forms, in which he maintained the essence of contemplation and human piety. He created large and small-scale sculptures, as well as a relief sculpture with extensive attention to ornamentation. He also created rhythmical sculpture compounds in which he linked the triangular andrhombus-shaped masses together by colorful lines. The artist also resorted to abbreviating the details to emphasize the mass and achieve dramatic shadowy projections, which emphasize the idea of holiness and mysticism. In creating these pieces of art, the artist used many materials, like pottery, stone, and polyester withmetal. He was awarded the State Merit Award for art in 2002.
Born in Tanta, Ahmed Abdel Wahab studied at the Faculty of Fine of Arts in Alexandria where he acquired the knowledge and the basics of sculpture, under the supervision of two masters, Ahmed Osman and Gamal El Sageny. A turning point in the career of Abdel Wahab was in 1957, after his graduation, where he obtained a local scholarship at the Atelier of Luxor. It is in this ancient spiritual piece of land, where Abdel Wahab was inspired. In fact this metaphysical inspiration was a feature reflected in all his work. In 1968 Abdel Wahab obtained a scholarship to Italy where he joined the Studio of the artist Emilio Greco, and became acquainted with the International Artistic Movement. A fact that influenced all his future work, but without compromising the spiritual aspect, so characteristic of Ancient Sculpture. Typically Abdel Wahab's works are superior semi-divine figures whose richness and structure suggest a pure and Eternal Presence. I hope you enjoyed these exceptional sculptures as much as I did, please leave a comment and let me know.
References:
Bibliotheca Alexandrina: http://www.bibalex.org/en/default
Ahmed Abdel-Wahab: http://www.bibalex.org/en/center/details/ahmedabdelwahab
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