Lot 33 – Farghali Abdel Hafiz, Untitled

Farghali Abdel Hafiz is a prominent figure in contemporary Egyptian art, recognised for a career spanning over sixty years of aesthetic experimentation and academic leadership. Born in Deirout, he has developed a visual language that integrates Egypt’s ancient heritage with modern abstraction. His work is notable for its departure from traditional media; early in his career, he began incorporating organic materials such as sand, mud, straw, and natural pigments directly into his canvases. This focus on materiality allows his compositions to physically embody the landscape of the Nile Valley and the desert.

His artistic style frequently utilises Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic motifs, reimagined through a contemporary lens. By employing human silhouettes, architectural fragments, and symbolic scripts, Abdel Hafiz explores themes of cultural identity and the passage of time. His approach emphasises texture and depth, creating a tactile connection between the viewer and the environmental realities of his homeland.

Beyond his creative practice, Abdel Hafiz has been a significant influence on Egypt’s artistic infrastructure. A graduate of the Institute of Art Education in 1962, he later studied in Florence, Italy, gaining a technical perspective that bridged Middle Eastern and European traditions. He served as a professor and eventually the Dean of the Faculty of Art Education at Helwan University, where he mentored several generations of artists and advocated for a balance between local heritage and global artistic trends.

As a co-founder of the Axis Group (Jama’at al-Mihwar), Abdel Hafiz played a key role in the development of the Egyptian avant-garde. His work has been featured in major international exhibitions, including the Venice and São Paulo Biennials, and is held in significant collections across Europe and the Middle East.