Noted sculptor Laila Hassan Soliman Dies

The prolific artist was an early pioneer in art and education

  Noted sculptor and art professor Dr. Laila Hassan Soliman passed away on February 2 at the age of eighty-one. Considered one of the exceptional sculptors of her generation, she won the 1955 Mahmoud Mokhtar Prize for sculpture the same year she graduated with her diploma in the art form, and continued garnering recognition throughout an art career that spanned 50 years.    Born in Cairo in 1932, Soliman grew up in Sohag and Minya before returning to Cairo for her higher education. She held a PhD in sculpture from the Germany’s Fine Arts Academy in Dusseldorf and another doctorate in the Philosophy of Art Education from Helwan University, where she taught as a professor until retiring in 1999. Working in stone, ceramic and metal, she exhibited in group and solo shows around the world, particularly in Germany. Locally, Soliman’s works are on display at Cairo’s Modern Art Museum, the Assuit Educational Museum, the Faculty of Fine Arts Museum in Minya and the Cairo Conference Center. Soliman was married to pioneer artist Dr. Taha Hussein, and they had two children: artist Dr. Hazem Taha Hussein  and Dr. Mona Taha Hussein. The funeral was set for February 5 at Al Hamedeya Al Shatheleya mosque in Mohandiseen.