Profile
I am an Egyptian artist born and raised in Cairo by my mother Cherine Fahmy an interior designer and owner of Mit Rehan Furniture shop, and my father Amr Omar an Architectural Engineer founder of Amr Omar Architects. I graduated from Cairo American College in 2004 with an American Diploma and then set out to The American University in Cairo where I graduated in 2008 with a degree in Fine Arts. I am currently working on launching a small project in Zamalek called HANFANINHA Gallery; where a group of AUCian Artists are working on creating a space that will give artists of all fields and levels a chance to work and explore new realms in an atmosphere surrounded by people with the same views and ideals collaborating together. In addition to giving these artists a chance to showcase their art in an environment that is inspirational and inviting.
Through my work I try to explore the realm of feelings and emotions. What these feelings stem from, how our memories save these emotions and what we see when we look back at them. I aim to highlight and illustrate the hidden strength of the woman, her feelings, reactions and struggles in order to cope with the society around us. These un-noticed battles with life are the creators of much repressed emotions, feelings and memories of unfulfilled dreams.
I created this work to celebrate the voyage of the soul that is continuously traveled with feelings, thoughts and emotions. This emancipation of the soul is so eminent in its strength yet invisible. I wish to bring to light many aspects that make the Arab woman what she is today. Using the culture, traditions and the constant surrounding repression there is a great deal of burdened intensity left untold. Through symbolically coarse and rough textures I allude to the harshness of the real world against the surrealistic dreams I have imagined. I choose to recur in my imagery solid, natural colors that are primal and strong.
I am driven to speak out about these hidden issues because I think women should have more freedom, acceptance, free-will and free speech to discuss the troubles in their lives, and to make the decisions they see fit. The Egyptian culture that surrounds me is my main source of inspiration. The City and especially the strong women I have had the pleasure of meeting continue to be the driving force for my way of reflection and creativity.
Nour Omar.
