Untitled 2016

This untitled painting was created by Alaa Awad, using acrylic on canvas, a decidedly modern material and surface. The application of paint is quite flat, and the texture of the weave barely comes through, which keeps our attention on the subject. The painting depicts a procession with women, some on horseback, referencing both folkloric traditions and contemporary social issues. Notice how the figures are repeated, lined up one after another, an effect enhanced by the way they are surrounded by thin, vertical strokes. This creates a rhythmic sense of repetition, almost like a textile pattern. But more importantly, it speaks to the collective effort necessary to enact political change. It's as though the artist is both celebrating the long, rich cultural heritage of Egypt, and recognizing that only through concerted action will these traditions be carried forward into the future. It’s a reminder that materials, making, and context can enrich our understanding of art, beyond traditional ideas of craft or fine art.