In Egypt, the month of March comprises a celebration of women. It starts with 8 March, International Women’s Day; followed by 16 March, Egyptian Women’s Day, and culminates with Mothers Day on 21 March.
What better way to celebrate women than art?
Artist Helmy al-Touni is among a number of Egyptian artists famed for their outstanding depiction of women.
Incidentally, Mr Touni is currently holding an exhibition titled Yahya al-Hob (Long Live Love) that opened on 1 March at Zamalek Art Gallery, Cairo, and runs till 15 March. The 50 paintings displayed celebrate love and peace, featuring harmonious portraits of women in worlds that expand to include music and love.
“Yahya al-Hob” is the title of an Egyptian film produced in 1938, starred by the legendary Egyptian singer and composer Muhammad Abdel-Wahab (1902 – 1991) together with the diva Laila Murad (1918 – 1995) who played the lead role in her first appearance on the silver screen.
Mr Touni is a talented artist and illustrator, a brilliant storyteller and an influential writer, all three in one. He has a great passion for painting women and fish, using both copiously in his work. His artworks soar in a climate of imagination, fun, and innocence.
Most of his paintings are inspired by elements of ancient Egyptian art, Coptic art, and folk art, depicting the meanings of renewal in addition to meanings of goodness, giving, and sometimes immortality.
Watani International
6 March 2024