Live Encounters Magazine June 2024
Abdel Wahab Al Abdel Mohsen, Fifty Years of Art, review by Dr Salwa Gouda.
The images are best viewed in the digital magazine or PDF on a large screen (not phone).
Egypt has long been a hub of artistic talent, with a rich history of creativity and innovation that spans centuries. Abd ElWahab Abd ElMohsen (1951), the Egyptian visual artist, is a renowned artist who has made significant contri-butions to the field of visual art over the course of fifty years. His artistic journey has been marked by creativity, innovation, and a deep exploration of various artistic techniques and styles. Throughout his career, Abd El-Wahab has experimented with different mediums, including painting, sculpture, and mixed media. His versatility and willingness to push the boundaries of traditional art forms have allowed him to create a diverse body of work that is both visually captivating and thought-provoking.
One of the defining characteristics of his art is his ability to blend elements of traditional Arab culture with contemporary artistic expressions. His works often incorporate his own personal life in his village, which is located near the Mediterranean and represents his first source of inspiration and beauty. This fusion not only shows his deep appreciation for his cultural heritage but also serves as a means of bridging the gap between different artistic traditions. Over the years, he has exhibited his artwork in numerous galleries and museums around the world, gaining recognition and acclaim for his distinctive style. His pieces have been praised for their intricate details, vibrant colors, and the emotional depth they evoke in viewers.
Abdelwahab Abdelmohsen’s artistry goes beyond mere representation, as he seeks to evoke emotion and nostalgia in his viewers. His paintings are more than just visual interpretations of the sea and village life; they are windows into a world of beauty, tranquility, and introspection. In a world that is often chaotic and fast-paced, Abdelwahab Abdelmohsen’s art offers a welcome respite, a chance to pause and reflect on the beauty of the natural world. His work serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and cherishing our environment, as well as the rich cultural heritage that is embedded in our surroundings. Through his vibrant and evocative paintings, he transports viewers to a world of calm and tranquility, inviting them to appreciate the simple wonders of nature.
Furthermore, Abd ElWahab Abd ElMohsen is known for his deep exploration of themes related to identity and the intricacies of human existence. Through his artwork, he delves into the depths of life, searching for the essence of identity in a world filled with complexities and contradictions.
One of the defining features of his work is his commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging conventional norms. His art reflects his deep contemplation and introspection as he seeks to unravel the mysteries of life and the self. His graphic concept is based on authentic experiences, techniques, and understanding, such as his work on the lakes or the Egyptian countryside and his keen interest in the engraved line and the intersections of visual perception at a point of intense sensitivity in Abdul Wahab’s work, we inhale the scent of the Nile mud with the eye, where this scent scratches the lens of the eye, penetrating the boundaries to a more profound emotional reality than what the naked eye sees directly.
Finally, through his art, Abd ElWahab Abd ElMohsen invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. He challenges us to confront our own beliefs and assumptions, urging us to look beyond the surface and explore the complexities of our innermost selves.
© Dr Salwa Gouda
Abdel Wahab Al Abdel Mohsen (1951) is an Egyptian visual artist. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Alexandria, Graphic Department, 1976. He received his master’s and doctorate from the Cairo College of Fine Arts. Abdul Mohsen participated in many local and international artistic events and won many local and international awards for his works in engraving and printing, and his works were acquired in many institutions, museums, Arab countries and others. He runs the Abdel Wahab Abdel Mohsen Foundation for Culture, Arts and Development, where the Foundation holds an annual event (Al-Burulus Forum for Painting on Walls and Boats).
The creative project of Abdel Mohsen is linked to the nature of his living place. He draws inspiration from his visual situations and formulations from his environmental, geographical, and cultural elements. The artist dealt with these data and formulated them into visual emotions in which he invoked multiple techniques that included engraving, printing, photography, and drawing, in addition to multiple other media such as sound, moving images, and composite works.
Dr. Salwa Gouda is an Egyptian literary translator, critic, and academic at the English Language and Literature Department at Ain-Shams University. She holds a PhD in English literature and criticism. She received her education at Ain-Shams University and California State University in San Bernardino. She has published several academic books, including “Lectures in English Poetry, and “Introduction to Modern Literary Criticism” and others. She has also contributed to the translation of “The Arab Encyclopedia for Pioneers,” which includes poets and their poetry, philosophers, historians, and men of letters, under the supervision of UNESCO. Additionally, her poetry translations have been published in various international magazines.