An exhibition spanning nearly nine decades of modern and contemporary Egyptian art has opened at the Middle East Institute's Art Gallery in Washington. El Marsam: Modern and Contemporary Art from Egypt opened to the public on Friday, 18 September, and runs through 11 December 2026. The exhibition features 49 works by 29 artists and is described as one of the first in the United States devoted exclusively to modern and contemporary Egyptian art.
The exhibition pairs works by leading Egyptian modernists, including Inji Efflatoun, Abdel Hadi El-Gazzar, Mahmoud Saïd and Gazbia Sirry, with those of established and emerging contemporary artists working in Egypt and abroad. Notable contemporary artists featured include Youssef Nabil, Lara Baladi and Sherine Guirguis. The public opening followed a reception on Thursday evening attended by diplomats, government officials and figures from the art world.
Egypt's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Mohammed Mukhtar El-Molla, and senior Egyptian embassy diplomats were in attendance, along with philanthropist and art collector Naguib Sawiris, and Egyptian collector Rasheed Kamel. Sawiris, who lent four works to the exhibition, emphasised the importance of bringing Egyptian art to international audiences at a time when conflict dominates perceptions of the region.
Curator Heba El Kayal said the exhibition sought to address the limited international recognition of Egypt's modern artistic history and encourage audiences to look beyond the country's ancient heritage. El Kayal, an Egyptian-American art professional, holds a bachelor's degree in English and Comparative Literature from the American University in Cairo and a master's degree in Modern Art History and Curatorial Studies from Columbia University.
The exhibition argues that Egyptian modern art developed from its inception as a sophisticated movement in dialogue with modernist currents in Europe and the United States, while drawing on local traditions, subjects and aesthetics. It also traces the continuing international presence of contemporary Egyptian artists, both those based in Egypt and those working abroad, whose work has been exhibited in major museums, biennials and other institutions worldwide.
The works have been drawn largely from private collections, galleries and the American University in Cairo. Alongside Sawiris and Kamel, lenders include collectors Mona Barakat and Selim Gouda. Sawiris provided lead funding for the exhibition, with major funding from Hassan Allam and David and Gretchen Welch. Additional support came from various individuals, highlighting the collaborative effort behind this significant cultural event.
Key points
- The exhibition features 49 works by 29 Egyptian artists, showcasing nearly nine decades of modern and contemporary Egyptian art.
- The exhibition aims to challenge perceptions of Egypt's artistic heritage and encourage audiences to look beyond the country's ancient heritage.
- The event was made possible through the support of various collectors and individuals, including lead funding from Naguib Sawiris.
