10 Egyptian Artists You Should Know About

They may not be the most well-known or established on the local art scene, but they are talented and influential Egyptian artists you should know about. We've asked Art Egypt, an Instagram account dedicated to promoting the country's fine art, to list their top choices for original and expressive artists to watch now. Art Egypt, which has some 3,000 followers, boasts the largest database of young artists in Egypt (whether they work as painters, photographers, illustrators or with mixed media) and is run by a team of three artists and journalists. 1- Aya Tarek She began sharing her bold street art on the walls of her native Alexandria at 18 years old, then gained international attention after the January 25 Revolution. Today, Tarek is considered Egypt's first serious street artist and an icon that young graffiti hopefuls look up to. She's participated from a young age in international exhibits, including the 2012 White Wall exhibit in Beirut that brought together graffiti artists from around the world. Follow her on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297885" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Aya Tarek[/caption] 2- Lamiaa Ameen A 26-year-old graphic designer, Ameen's work is delicate, feather-light and often done in pastel colors that depict surreal scenes. "Behind her modest exterior lays a brilliant fascination with human interactions and behaviourism, which she portrays through her sweet yet somewhat dark and blazingly expressive illustrations," says the Art Egypt team. Ameen is the only Egyptian who featured at Berlin-artparasites, a Facebook group with 1.7 million followers that shares compelling artwork. Follow her on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297887" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Lamiaa Ameen[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297888" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Lamiaa Ameen[/caption] 3- Youssef Maghraby A shining example of a contemporary calligrapher, Maghraby is young and began calligraphy very recently but has quickly reached a high standard. His work brings innovation and development to a genre that's often prone to stagnation, says Art Egypt. Maghraby is currently an art student. Follow him on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297889" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Youssef Maghraby[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297890" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Youssef Maghraby[/caption] 4- Mina Nasr Nasr's art deals with changes in Egyptian society, tackling issues of culture, community, politics and the problems of daily life. Alternating forces are often at play in his images, such as power and control confronted by freedom and liberty. Nasr's work includes drawing, computer graphics and installations. Follow him on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297891" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Mina Nasr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297892" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Mina Nasr[/caption] 5- Hassnaa It's difficult to find much information on this digital illustrator, but she's got a distinct and unmistakable style that speaks of her creativity. "All we know about Hassnaa is her wonderful art," says the Art Egypt team. [caption id="attachment_297893" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Hassnaa[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297923" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Hassnaa[/caption] 6- Nada Elkalaawy A 19-year-old Egyptian visual artist currently based in London, Elkalaawy says her art takes a critical view of political, social and cultural issues while examining the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Hugely influenced by women's involvement in the January 25 Revolution, Elkalaawy says their heavy presence at protests shows "the encouragement and the ongoing transformation of the female role in an Arab society." More recently, Elkalaawy is interested in orientalism and the representation of Arab women in the West. Follow her on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297924" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Nada Elkalaawy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297925" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Nada Elkalaawy[/caption] 7- Walid Ebeid An oil painter who's a true master of the technique, Ebeid's work ranges from haunting studies of the female figure to paintings that tackle difficult issues like sexuality, immigration and police brutality. His work has been exhibited internationally since 1992, earning him a reputation for his expressive style. One of his more daring works depicts a prostitute wrapped in a sheet sitting handcuffed at a police station. Follow him on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297926" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Walid Ebeid[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297927" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Walid Ebeid[/caption] 8- Hany Rashed Rashed trained at artist Mohamed Abla’s studio for a decade before venturing off on his own creative path in 2003. Over the past decade, he's produced a highly original body of work including sketches that allude to classic oriental imagery and tormented visions of people and society. Rashed's work has been shown at exhibits in Europe, Dubai and Senegal. Follow him on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297928" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Hany Rashed[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297929" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Hany Rashed[/caption] 9- Ammar Abo Bakr An icon of revolutionary murals, Abo Bakr is behind some of the best graffiti that ever graced Mohamed Mahmoud Street. Often incorporating the symbols of ancient and modern Egypt and Islamic culture, his work was frequently painted over by police during the January 25 Revolution. To see his latest art, just take a walk through downtown Cairo or check his Facebook page. Follow him on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297930" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Ammar Abo Bakr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297931" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Ammar Abo Bakr[/caption] 10- Maged El Sokkary A graphic designer with an array of interests from illustration and graphics to publishing and advertising, El Sokkary is the art director at JWT Cairo, a communication agency. He has previously worked as creative designer at Out of the Box. His distinct and artistic style doesn’t compare to any other designers, says Art Egypt. Follow him on Facebook here [caption id="attachment_297932" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Maged El Sokkary[/caption] [caption id="attachment_297933" align="alignnone" width="620"] By Maged El Sokkary[/caption]