Luxor Art Gallery was so honored to contribute to the special exhibition “On the Steps of Tutankhamun” held at the Luxor Heritage Museum at the Misr Public Library thanks to Gehad Shawky Ali. Luxor Art Gallery curator Dominique Navarro was honored with a certificate of gratitude for her services and contributions.
Interview with VideoYoum7 Egypt
Thanks so much to journalists Ahmed and Abdallah for coming to Luxor Art Gallery to see the exhibition and interview curator Dominique Navarro. Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/7nHsFBBt5Eo
An American with an Egyptian spirit that employs history in the service of contemporary arts
By Hijaj Salama حجاج سلامة
The researcher Dominique Navarro came ten years ago to work as a painter and researcher in the city of Luxor, so she was fascinated by ancient Egypt, its history, landmarks and monuments, and she became one of the most active researchers in the field of Egyptology without fading out her activity in the world of formation.
Monday 03/28/2022
AFAR Media names Luxor as one of the best places to visit in 2022
https://www.afar.com/magazine/reasons-to-visit-luxor-egypt-in-2022
Huge thank you to our friend Colleen Kinder! Writing for AFAR Media—which names Luxor as one of the best places to visit in 2022—Colleen describes many highlights of this wonderful and unique place in the world, name dropping Luxor Art Gallery and artists friends Alaa Awad and sculptor Mahmoud Salem!
Colleen writes:
The city’s most renowned artist, Alaa Awad, is a painter whose neopharaonic murals stretch across buildings on the West Bank. The local gallery that features his work, Luxor Art Gallery, has an outdoor courtyard for workshops and expositions where a visitor might run into him. For Awad, the pandemic has been a quiet but artistically fertile time. “I created so much work,” he told me on a recent call. “I painted portraits of my friends, landscapes of the Nile.” He explained how lockdown catalyzed his art and even varied its mood.
For our Luxor neighbor Mahmoud Salem, a sculptor, this quiet period has held similar promise, offering him time to renovate his studio and create new pieces. “I have good energy in winter; ideas come to me then,” he said.
Bab Masr Article & Video
Thank you so much Bab Masr for this wonderful article and video on our new exhibition in collaboration with Humans of Upper Egypt, and our wonderful artists Ahmed Mohey Hamza, Hala Refaei, Alaa Awad, Ghada Embarek, Khaled Abul-dahab & Katrina Vrebalovich: https://www.babmsr.com/بشر-الصعيد-توثيق-الحياة-اليومية-في-معر/?fbclid=IwAR2GC4CyZTgc8k_uWmkmuAxOubtIGeb0LTsDllMKG-IW-0BUlmyj9_IsKbw
Article translated to English:
Bishr al-Said: Documenting daily life in an art exhibition on the West Bank
Abul-Hassan Abdul-Sattar Abul-Hassan Abdul-Sattar's photo, January 19, 2022
Near the statues of Memnon on the West Bank of Luxor, the “Roots” exhibition, organized by the “Luxor Art Gallery” Foundation, in cooperation with “humans of upper Egypt” opened. The exhibition includes artworks that express daily life in Upper Egypt and Luxor by artists from the Faculty of Fine Arts and others, as well as foreign artists residing in Luxor.
The exhibition's works vary between painting, sculpture, photographs and portraits of personalities from Upper Egypt. "Bab Misr" reviews the details of the exhibition.
West Bank
The exhibition expresses the true spirit of the Upper Egypt and explains the roots of culture in it by rooting the story and spreading the values, culture, customs and traditions of the Egyptian society, through photography, cinematography and other available logistical means. The exhibition is attended by Mahmoud Hawari and Faten Abu Bakr, founders of Humans of upper Egypt, and artists Alaa Awad, Ghada Mubarak, Hala Rifai and Ahmed Mohy Hamza.
Dominique Navarro, founder of Luxor Art Gallery, says: “The exhibition documents the lives of people in Upper Egypt. Who are different and unique from others in different countries of the world. And you won't find any culture this deep and diverse. The exhibition is the first of its kind that combines painters and photographs, all of which express the roots of culture in Upper Egypt, in cooperation with the Humans of Upper Egypt team.”
And she continued: "We care about the arts, culture and people in Luxor, presenting them and spreading them to the global community. Therefore, we develop and improve these arts and strive to discover and adopt new types of arts."
Navarro explains, "I came to Luxor about 10 years ago, like others, on a passing visit to see the Pharaonic monuments. I was very fascinated by the diverse environment. I thought there should be someone to link up with the local artists. But I did not find it so I decided to establish Luxor Art Gallery. We hope that we will continue our activities in support of art."
Luxor Art Gallery
Mahmoud Hawari, founder of Humans of Upper Egypt, explains that his participation with “Luxor Art Gallery” was in 6 pieces of photographs printed on leather. It is the first time that photographs have been printed in this way. The pieces are different subjects that express the social situation in Upper Egypt, such as: Al-Miramah, a portrait of a woman and a man from Upper Egypt, and another portrait of a Sufi sheikh.
He continued, "I am also participating with a large mural of 200 photographs that are portraits of characters from Upper Egypt." He stressed that the aim of the exhibition is to deepen the ties between the various sects in society by telling visual stories. With our full belief that the image contributes to changing society and raising the values of humanity."
Hawary adds that Roots is the beginning of several upcoming projects through which we seek to deepen communication between community members in Egypt. He stressed that the proceeds of this exhibition will go to contribute directly to future projects. Contribute to the payment of education expenses for disadvantaged students in Upper Egypt. These achievements will also be announced on social media platforms and the names of the contributors will be written within the production team.
3 Artists
Dr. Ahmed Mohi Hamza, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and one of the participants in the exhibition, indicates that he is participating in three paintings in the Visual Stories collection, which he participated in at the Museum of Modern Art. The three works revolve around Luxor in particular. The first panel is “The Children of the Uncle in the Mawlid, Folk Places, and Visual Mergers and Dialogues.” It is a photograph and print with moving pens in a certain movement to break out of the familiar image into a visual state with a new processing.
Hamza says: “The amazing thing about the photos is that I photographed them and processed them in writing, so they became illustrations. There is another picture of folk dance in the Mawlid. And the third picture of Al-Saqa’s personality in the Mawlids."
While Katrina, an rtist residing on the West Bank in Luxor, participating in the exhibition with paintings, and one of its organizers, explains that the exhibition is small, but it displays wonderful artworks. Pointing out that the love of Egypt and its presence in Luxor in particular inspired her in her art and paintings. Her works, which she participated in in the exhibition, express the ancient Egyptian civilization through a special experience with the Ogdoad in Medinet Habu Temple, from which her artwork was inspired.
Cairo24 Article
Cairo24 for this wonderful article on our new exhibition in collaboration with Humans of Upper Egypt
https://www.cairo24.com/1476575
Article translated to English:
"Roots" Learn about the first exhibition documenting life in Upper Egypt | Luxor photos by Mohamed Saleh
Photographers travel through their rural environments in the south and communicate closely with the places and people they meet, capturing pictures that express them and their joys, sorrows, customs and traditions, bringing out the raw beauty of the charming southern regions and rural communities in Egypt, hence the idea of establishing the exhibition "Roots", which documents The life of the people in Upper Egypt through photography, where people in the south hope to transmit their true culture without pretense or lies by highlighting the deep roots of that people who carry privacy, data and values different from the rest of the republic regions.
Roots documents the origin of the story
Mahmoud Hawari, the owner of the exhibition idea, says that he has been working on the idea since 2011, when he created a page on social media sites called “Human of upper egypt” and began collecting visual material related to the regions and villages of Upper Egypt, as he filmed more than 200 different portraits with features Attractive Saidia, and some of the forms of old houses that we find in Upper Egypt in particular, as well as folklore and fashion, in addition to various games, the most prominent of which was the “Al-Tahteeb” game.
Mahmoud adds that he is fond of everything related to Upper Egypt, including southern features, customs, traditions and legacies, and that the main reason that made him document Upper Egypt life is what he sees on TV screens of series and films that are not related to the Upper Egyptian reality in anything, but rather give false and unrealistic ideas about "the people of Upper Egypt" and about their lives, thus giving a false stereotype about them.
Saida fashion in the exhibition
Faten Abu Bakr, 25, exhibition coordinator and executive director, added that a special segment will be shown to photograph 100 different turban rolls that were monitored in the various governorates of Upper Egypt from Minya to Aswan. In the remote villages, it will also display the traditional costumes of the women of the south, such as the toub and the habra, in the villages and centers of Esna and Qena.
The other side that we do not know about "Upper"
Faten indicates that the exhibition will be held in front of the famous statues of Memnon on the West Bank in Luxor in cooperation with the "Luxor Art Gallery" Foundation for Arts, adding that they are in the process of holding other upcoming exhibitions to deepen the ties between different cultures in society through the image, and concludes that the exhibition's proceeds will contribute to the payment of Educational expenses for disadvantaged and unable students.
Rose Alyoussef Magazine
Photographer Khaled Abul-dahab's new cover for Rose Alyoussef magazine premiers today, featuring اشرف زين الرجال Ashraf "the best of men." Published pdf from Rose Alyoussef.
Photographed on site at Luxor Art Gallery, with paintings by Katrina Vrebalovich in the background. Special thanks to Katrina for connecting us all!
Some people they asks me about what I get from my photos. Here it is: pure love from hearts, this is what keeps me alive. I wanted to share with you a sample of the true feelings from people's love. The picture is of the most honorable hero of Rose Alyoussef's last cover, and a hug shows his love and appreciation after the photograph.
بيسئلوني ناس كتير انت بتاخد إيه مقابل الصور الي بتعملها، حبيت أشارككم عينة من المشاعر الحقيقة من حب الناس ، الي رصيده مبينتهيش، وهذا ما يبقيني علي قيد الحياة
الصورة لأشرف بطل غلاف روزاليوسف الأخير و عناق يظهر محبه وتقدير بعد ماصورته وحصلت معايشة حياتيا بينا
—Khaled Abul-dahab
Asharq Al-Awsat
ASHARQ AL-AWSAT Newspaper — The world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, based in London, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities, and owned by the Saudi Research and Marketing Group
Rediscovering the Historic Arts of Luxor Through A Contemporary Eye At Luxor Art Gallery on the West Bank
عين معاصرة تعيد اكتشاف
الفنون التاريخية بالأقصر
عبر معرض تشكيلي دائم بـ«البر الغربي»
https://aawsat.com/pdf/issue15225//
Tuesday - 14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1441 AH - 04 August 2020 AD Issue number [15225]
Written by Mona Abu Al-Nasr, Cairo
Translated from Arabic into English by D. Navarro
Close to the two Colossi of Memnon statues, the Luxor Art Gallery, which was founded in 2018, maintains its distinctive location on the west bank area of Luxor in southern Egypt. But its artistic exhibitions have moved to cyberspace with the Corona pandemic which has limited visitors and tourists to the historic “city of the sun.”
Throughout her extensive visits to Luxor, American artist and writer Dominique Navarro became interested in the relationship between the ancient Egyptian artists who filled the walls of temples and tombs with engravings, and the contemporary Egyptian artists, the descendants of that visual creativity. Navarro became acquainted with many artists in Luxor, and says, “I have been seeking out contemporary artists in Luxor for years, trying to understand what contemporary art means in a city that is known as an ancient necropolis. Tourists come from across the globe to see the temples and tombs of the past, in awe of the divine reliefs and sculptures of the ancient Egyptians.”
Navarro tells Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, “What I discovered is that art is alive and flourishing in Luxor. But despite a momentum in the contemporary art movement in Egypt, there are rarely opportunities to see such art in Luxor, with limited venues and only a few temporary exhibitions each year. Luxor needs a permanent contemporary art gallery, and that’s why Luxor Art Gallery was created.”
With the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, the gallery’s activities have moved online showing and selling art on the website and through social media. As Navarro says: “We’ve had to move the gallery into the virtual world to keep it alive, especially since tourism is now very low, and until things return to normal again."
Four of the archaeological sites in Luxor have finally reopened after a closure that lasted about three months, including Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple in the west, after the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism confirmed the completion of the implementation of the precautionary safety measures for opening the archaeological areas as part of its plan to avoid an outbreak of the Corona virus.
Luxor Art Gallery's exhibiting artists are distinctive for their remarkable artistic richness, inspired by the ancient arts and the local heritage in Upper Egypt, creating a common thread that brings together artists from different generations. Most of the artists reside in Luxor or have a love for the ancient city, whether Egyptian or foreigner. Among them is the the Egyptian artist Alaa Awad living in Luxor, whose art is filled with the narratives of Pharaonic Egypt and the surviving heritage of rural life that still exists in the west bank of Luxor. Among his works at the gallery is a painting that depicts funerary rituals in ancient Egypt. The gallery also displays photographs by the Egyptian artist Khaled Abul-Dahab, known for his portraits in which he approaches the aesthetics of Nubian faces of various ages. The gallery also presents a number of paintings by artist Enas Amara, who depicts landmarks of Luxor’s temples and Nubian landscapes in luminous panoramas.
Throughout the gallery’s online presentations of the artists and their work, curiosity is inspired to learn more about the story behind each artwork. A painting by the Egyptian artist Shaza Khalid includes traditional folk dolls in colorful cloth. Shaza tells Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, “This painting was inspired by girls of Upper Egypt who from their early childhood learn to make dolls from fabrics. I am attracted to this type of art, for its distinct and aesthetic beauty, so I was inspired by the children's design of their dolls in the technical concept of my work, especially from the way they sew the dolls, and so I added into the painting the element of collage with thread and cloth.”
The land of Luxor (Thebes) still inhabits ancient tales and mythology of ancient Egypt that never ceases to amaze the artists of the world. The ancient Egyptians recognized Sekhmet, the goddess of war and a symbol of power, which Mustafa Saifoon tells Asharq Al-Awsat: “Through my paintings I tried to express the feelings of anger and terror surrounding a mythical god that was meant to protect, using red tones and shadows to create the feeling of fire and heat. In a second painting, I once saw the sight of stunned tourists in front of a statue of Sekhmet, so I tried to capture this experience between the feelings of the modern people and the power of Sekhmet over time.”
National TV
Luxor Art Gallery is incredibly honored to be featured on the national Egyptian TV program "Good Morning Egypt"! Featuring an interview with Alaa Awad, Shaza Khalid, and Dominique Navarro, and showcasing the new gallery location across from the Colossi of Memnon.
Special thanks to Khaled Abul-dahab for connecting us with the crew, and a warm thanks to journalist Mina and his professional team! We truly enjoyed our afternoon with you!
And a huge thanks to Katrina Vrebalovich, with whom beautiful things always happen!
“9 years ago today, I had a life changing moment in Egypt that was impossible to ignore, so it seems especially fortuitous that today Luxor Art Gallery was featured on National Egyptian Television. Despite my terrible anxiety to be in front of a camera, I hope my enthusiasm and exhausting efforts comes through, to give back to Egypt by supporting a little known art community in Luxor and help present them to an international audience. It's about the incredible artists and a unique community that supports one another to rise above all the challenges we face in the world, whether it is a revolution or a pandemic. By supporting the arts and supporting one another, our entire community grows, locally and globally, our friendships are empowered, and everyone thrives together.” —Dominique Navarro, 4 July 2020
Art Revolution
Article by PHILIPPA LEE about Luxor Art Gallery:
There’s a revolution happening in Egypt – but this time it’s art.
‘It’s not safe in Egypt’.
That phrase is becoming a bit worn now, I hear it every time I book another trip. I’ve been going since 2001, a month after the Twin Towers were brought down and the idea of going to Egypt appalled everyone I knew. I survived that and subsequent visits, including one that turned out to be timed just right for a revolution.
‘It’s fine!’ I always reply wearily. And it is, because to be honest, where is ‘safe’ these days?’
My choice, as usual, is to stay on the West Bank of Luxor – ‘the dark side’, as it is locally known. This time, due to my now somewhat limited mobility, I decide to spend the majority of my days with friends than indulge in the usual frantic temple-hopping. I stay at Villa Kaslan owned by my Swiss/Egyptian friends; tucked away in a village halfway to the Valley of the Kings.
After a few days’ rest, I catch up with a Swedish artist friend, we sip warm Coke and smoke at a local coffee shop overlooking the Nile. She mentions in passing that there is an art gallery. ‘Really?’ I ask. ‘In Luxor?’ She laughs and gives me directions. I head off alone, she has to go; the builders have arrived to work on her studio.
Luxor Art Gallery is inconspicuous down a back street. I ineptly dodge barefoot kids playing football – ‘Salah!’ they shout at me gleefully. Everyone in Egypt loves Mo. Inside the unassuming entrance I am greeted warmly and shown into the gallery, the only visitor. But the art is sublime; contemporary pieces rivalling anything in the Tate – explosions of colour fusing ancient symbolism with modern perceptions. I’m transfixed by a piece by Alaa Abu Al-Ahmed – his art is described as ‘like déjà vu, [they] feel familiar, yet are rare to encounter and mystifying to experience’. Yes, reader, I bought one.
I had no idea of the sheer scope of the talent to be found in Upper Egypt. Perhaps in Cairo’s deliciously trendy – and expensive – suburb of Zamalek but in Luxor? Who knew that hiding in the backstreets would be a hidden gem; a testament to the ancients’ formidable artistry but with modern vigour and passion?
Since I’ve returned, the gallery has moved. Its new home is opposite the famous Colossi of Memnon, and it has a new board of trustees, all artists. Next door is Rabab Luxor, run by friend of a friend Shady Rabab, a self-taught musician who teaches young people to transform waste into musical instruments; his Garbage Music Project won UN acclaim. This is the stuff tourists miss out on; their air-con buses whisking them from temple to tomb. I love the temples and tombs, but this is progress; this is an art revolution! I can’t wait to go back in a few months, not only to add to my art collection but to see how sleepy Luxor is waking up.
Workshop
Opening
Now Open: "Higher Ground" Grand Opening Exhibition
at Luxor Art Gallery's new location across from the Colossi of Memnon:
26 January - 28 February, 2020
10am - 6pm
12 artists and 50 artworks!
Our Opening Exhibition "Higher Ground" will include artists:
Alaa Awad
Ali Hassaan
Shaza Khalid
Ahmed Saber
Katrina Vrebalovich
Ahmed Abd El Fattah
Khaled Abul-Dahab
Mervat Shazli Hilali
Manal Shuaib
Hala Refaei
Aliaa Eltayeb
Alaa Aboelhamd
New Location
Dear Luxor Art Community,
November 30, 2019, Luxor Art Gallery will close at its current location and will reopen early January 2020 at a new location, insh’allah.
We will announce the new location soon.
In the past year, Luxor Art Gallery has had the pleasure of exhibiting over 65 artists in the gallery, on the website, and in social media, sharing their extraordinary artwork with the world and the Luxor community.
From the beginning, Luxor Art Gallery was intended to embrace a true community spirit, in which everyone — the artists and art collectors, Egyptians and Egyptologists, foreign friends and local families alike — could come together, share, support, and celebrate this incredibly unique, vitally important culture of art we are so privileged to have here in Luxor, Egypt. Thanks to the artist’s incredible artwork and to all of your voices, the word is spreading far and wide about Luxor Art Gallery.
In the interest of integrity and honoring the artists—without which the gallery cannot exist—Luxor Art Gallery is making major changes, due to unforeseen circumstances and based on a majority decision. Please trust that these changes are in the best interest of everyone, especially the artists.
Luxor Art Gallery is greater than any one individual, and requires a team that can work together toward a single vision. Luxor Art Gallery will now be represented by a Board of Directors comprised of professional artists who recognize the value of the gallery and its necessity to be managed by a fair, honest, ethical, professional team. We encourage all artists to share their opinions and ideas: we will listen.
We can all look forward to more exhibitions, events, performances, music, and art workshops in the near future at the new Luxor Art Gallery.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Luxor Art Gallery, and onward to a bright and hopeful future, insh’allah…
Dominique Navarro
CONDÉ NAST
CONDÉ NAST
TRAVELLER
MIDDLE EAST
RECOMMENDS
LUXOR ART GALLERY
It’s time to travel to Egypt (again) By Anthony Sattin January 15, 2019
Condé Nast Traveller Middle East is the leading luxury travel lifestyle magazine.
Condé Nast Traveller Middle East is the leading luxury travel lifestyle magazine. Award-winning photography and features provide inspiration on all things travel, from destinations and hotels to food and fashion, both in the Middle East and beyond. As the most trusted source for travel information in the region, Condé Nast Traveller Middle East hosts the annual Readers’ Choice Awards, the gold standard of travel awards, voted for by our readers, celebrating the best travel and hospitality operators and experiences around the world. This is the truth in travel.
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER MIDDLE EAST RECOMMENDS
Museums, Galleries & Hotels in Egypt
LUXOR:
Al Moudira Hotel
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
Luxor Art Gallery
Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel
CAIRO:
Cairopolitan Art Gallery
Grand Egyptian Museum
Gypsum Gallery
Marriott Mena House
Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art
Nile Ritz-Carlton
St. Regis Cairo Hotel
Tahrir Cultural Center
Townhouse Gallery
NILE CRUISES:
Oberoi Philae
Nour el Nil
Cairo Scene
CAIRO SCENE NEWS ARTICLE
LUXOR'S FIRST EVER CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY OPENS THIS NOVEMBER
Showcasing creations of local and international artists, Luxor Art Gallery is giving a lifeline to the city's contemporary art scene.
As one of Egypt’s most historical areas, Luxor is a treasure trove of temples and artifacts that tell tales of another time. It’s no surprise then, that some of the country’s most talented artists are emerging from a gem that is filled with inspiration at every turn, from its historical monuments, to its beautiful greenery. Shedding light on these talents, is the most recently inaugurated Luxor Art Gallery, set to open its door on the banks of Luxor in November.
The Luxor Art Gallery is showcasing the works of both local talents and non-local artists who've found their inspiration within the city's beauties.
The grand opening exhibition, which will be on the 10th of November is set to feature 19 artists, including some of Luxor’s most sought after talents, the likes of Alaa Awad, Ali Hassaan, Yousra Hafad, Ahmed Saber, Wael Nour, and Shaza Khalid, among others.
Coming as an initiative aiming to provide a platform for Upper Egyptian contemporary artists, the gallery looks to place these artists under the spotlight and gives them an outlet into global recognition. As Luxor is already a popular destination among tourists, the gallery’s location in the birthplace of the world's civilisation, is optimal to showcasing local contemporary artists.
The gallery will also be putting Luxor back on the map as a cultural destination that celebrates both its past and its future in showcasing its contemporary talents as well as taking pride in their monuments from a time foregone.
Luxor, which already boasts of its own art school at the South Valley University, does not yet have any galleries for local artists to showcase their works as well as to display them to those coming in from all over the world to experience the city.
These artists draw the inspiration of their works from having been bred in Luxor or having come and fallen in love with its heritage and beautiful landscapes.
Virtual Exhibit
Experience a virtual exhibition video of Luxor Art Gallery and discover some of our favorite artists that we feature on luxorartgallery.com and who are invited to particpate in our first exhibition in Fall 2018!
