Mohamed Abou El Naga, From Manuscript series, 2011. Mixed media on canvas. h: 100 x w: 50 cm / h: 39.4 x w: 19.7 in.

LUCERNE AUGUST 2011. Egyptian artist, professor and curator Mohamed Abouelnaga presents his fascinating works on canvas at AB GALLERY Luzern. The exhibition Sacred Papersruns from 28 August to 15 October, 2011.

Abouelnaga combines the tactile qualities of handmade paper with colours of natural oxides. Abouelnaga`s art works pique the observer`s curiosity. The distance to the works wants to be decreased. The work itself demands a closer examination. The eye floats above the handmade paper from papyrus, rough natural fibre, photographic details, and Arabic characters. Symbiotically, the individual elements merge into an impressive whole.

„While touching [Abouelnaga`s] canvases with our eyes, we live its creation, its identity evolvement and its transformation. Our sight is then divided on the magical surface, the unique technique and the chemistry of colour. We find ourselves in the heart of duality: between the material and its effects, the intentional and the spontaneous, the canvas and its obligations and between gravity and transcendentalism.”(Farid Al Zahi)

Born 1960 in the Egyptian town of Tantra, Mohamed Abouelnaga graduated with honours from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria (Egypt). Later he received a Masters Degree in Fine Art and a PhD in Philosophy of Art from Alexandria University. During his multifaceted career he has created numerous award-winning projects. He is the first Middle Eastern artist to receive a grant from the Japan Foundation to study the art of paper making in Japan.

Abouelnaga`s works have been showcased on many international exhibitions. In 2001 he won the first prize of the Alexandria Biennale. In 2002 he represented Egypt at the Venice Biennale. He is founder of Elnafeza - Foundation for Contemporary Art & Development where he teaches young people, with a special focus on girls, the art of papermaking from natural materials.

OPEN SUNDAY: 28 AUGUST 2011. 11 am – 4 pm. Mohamed Abouelnaga will be present.
THE EXHIBITION RUNS UNTIL 15 OCTOBER 2011 AT AB GALLERY LUZERN.  www.ab-gallery.com.