Alaa Awad is an exquisite Egyptian painter and muralist, with an interesting story to tell! His style is both an ode to ancient Egyptian Pharaonic artwork and the living heritage of rural life. The essence of his paintings honors Egypt’s past and present, and yet is uniquely his own style and totally contemporary. Alaa Awad participated in exhibitions and has created public murals throughout the world including China, United States, France, Denmark and Germany.
Unlike other graffiti artists, Alaa Awad chooses to paint with a brush and uses acrylic paints rather than using stencils and spray paints. His intricate murals can sometimes take up to a week to make not only because of the materials he uses, but because of the complexity of his designs. Awad paints in a neo-pharonic graffiti style, a style that harkens back to Ancient Egypt. His usage of the neo-pharonic style is meant to draw attention back to rich, old Egyptian traditions. This style aims to remind protestors of their heritage and past to help them stay true to their Egyptian identity.
Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Luxor University, Faculty of Fine Arts. His Ph.D. working dissertation title is “Artistic Vision Inspired by the Murals of War and Peace in Ancient Egyptian Art” 2019. His collegiate resume also includes an M.A. in Fine Arts from Helwan University and a B.A. in Fine Arts from SVU. He also serves as a demonstrator at the Faculty of Fine Arts SVU since 2006.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
When I receive great inspiration from life and create new art which expresses something important about society and human beings.
A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY
When I was young and I was drawing in my family home. My father would watch and encourage me. He would always bring colours and paper for me and we would paint together sometimes. He told my mother that I would be an artist and then when I went to school I was already known as a painter at an early age. My hope when I was young was to study art at a fine arts college.
BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS
Ancient Egyptian culture and heritage and contemporary social events including temples, tombs, modern and ancient celebrations and Sufi festivals.
THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST
The street art project on Mohamed Mahmoud Street in Cairo 2012 during the Egyptian Revolution.
THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST
The daughters of the Nile, a street art project in Paris 2019.
Mural painting on the wall of the Egyptian Culture Centre in Paris that I painted during my solo exhibition last year to highlight the beauty of Egyptian women.
THE BEST THING ABOUT EGYPTIAN CREATIVITY IS
Egyptian creativity can be inspired by the depth and richness of Egyptian culture and heritage.
BEST STATEMENT OF EGYPTIAN HUMOR
Regardless of problems in our lives, Egyptian people are able to make jokes and have fun and turn hard times into humor.
ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO EGYPTIAN CREATIVES
My advice would be to discover and bring together a broad range of emerging and established talent across many artistic fields and to invest and support them.
BEST PLACE IN CAIRO
Egyptian Museum and the Great Pyramid!
BEST PLACE IN EGYPT
Luxor, definitely!
MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT EGYPT, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS
The media often portrays Egypt with images of the ancient history of pyramids and tombs. Yet, Egypt is one of the most advanced countries, making Independent decisions that unite people across the Middle East. With a contemporary culture and rich natural resources, the people are proud of their traditions. Expect to meet generous people welcoming you to the magical Egyptian lifestyle.
EGYPT SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR
Art, history and culture.
YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY
My Muslim faith and Sufi way is the foundation of my understanding and perspective of life. The value of life being built upon contrast and choice.
YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY
Money is really important for making our life, but this money must come by good and fair way. We make the money, money will never make us. We came to this world without money and we will leave without money, so there is no reason to fight, or for conflict about who is richer than others. The real happiness is to accept ourselves and to build success to leave a good history for the next generation.
AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE
The ancient Egyptian temples, tombs, and museums in Egypt are full of inspiration and great stories that show the original personality of Egypt. Good examples are Luxor temple, Karnak temple, Ramseum temple, Habu Temple, Dendera Temple and tombs in Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Queen’s Valley, the Nobles tombs and Dir el-Medina. These monuments will tell the original stories and deepest history to make us build a modern vision of the Golden Age of human beings.
AN EGYPT BASED FEMALE TALENT THAT DESERVES TO BE PROMOTED AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AS EXPONENT OF LOCAL CREATIVE SPIRIT
Shimaa Abo Elkheir is one of the best designers in Egypt and the Middle East. Her modern designs are inspired by ancient Egyptian culture. She was awarded the international prize for international Creativity in 2016 in London. She designed the Humanity Memorial in Sharm El Sheikh for The World Youth Forum 2018. She is the owner of “Design House” Company in Cairo.
His art can be viewed on his website at alaa-awad.com.