Medhat Shafik's ‘Odyssey' on show at Riyadh's Errm Gallery
RIYADH: Riyadh's Errm Gallery is hosting an exhibition by Italy-based Egyptian artist Medhat Shafik until March 31.
Titled 'Odyssey,' the showcase features select works by the artist who won Egypt's first Venice Biennale award in 1995.
Shafik, born in El-Badari, Egypt, in 1956, has lived and worked in Italy since 1976. He graduated from Milan's fine arts Brera Academy with a diploma in painting and set design. Shafik built up a reputation for blending the colors and lines of Orientalist art forms with the visual vocabulary of Western avant-garde movements.
'This is my first exhibition in Riyadh,' Shafik remarked to Arab News. 'I found it very welcoming and hospitable. This was expected, as the people of the Gulf and the Arab world have a long history dating back to the time of the Pharaohs. I feel a close connection between these ancient civilizations; it resonates with my travels.'
Inspired by the poetry of Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy, the exhibition explores the concept of 'life (as) a continuous journey, filled with experiences that enrich our understanding of existence,' the artist explained.
Known for his use of mixed media, the artist often employs materials that have been discarded. 'I feel like an archaeologist, digging to uncover fragments of history,' he said.
One unique piece depicts an archaeological formation resembling a half-moon, with mixed media mounted on a large-scale canvas.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
Fawerha Nostalgia: A Night of Music and Memories in Jeddah
Music, joy and memories are coming to Jeddah at the Fawerha Nostalgia – one of Jeddah Season's largest concerts. Taking place on June 13, 2025, Fawerha Nostalgia will bring a selection of the most famous stars in the 2000s to perform live at the Jeddah Superdome, taking the audiences on a heartfelt journey through the past. For over two hours, the stars of the golden decade (2000 to 2010) will play some of their all-time hits, dazzling audiences with their sweet melodies and vibrant songs that profoundly shaped their lives. On one stage, Arab and international music legends will perform their popular songs, under the theme 'Hits from 2000 to 2010,' amid nostalgic vibes, reviving pleasant memories and promising an unforgettable night at Jeddah Superdome. The exceptional night will feature iconic Arab stars, such as Ramy Gamal, Maya Nasri, Samo Zaen, Ahmed Batshan, Haytham Said, Iwan, Jannat, Youssef Al-Omani, and Ahmed Cherif. It also includes the Egyptian band Wama. Moreover, the mega star Massari and the British boy band Blue will deliver a highly-anticipated performance. مساري بنفسه يقولكم تعالو!الليلة المنتظرة قربت… فورها نوستالجيا 🔥جيل الطرب الجميل بيرجع لكم بصوت وإحساس 😍 احجز تذكرتك قبل لا تخلص 🎟️ #فورها_نوستالجيا #حفلات_جدة #مساري #ويبوك — | We're All About Fun (@webook) June 9, 2025 The participating stars have expressed excitement about the concert through videos on social media, inviting their fans to join them in Jeddah's special music event. At Fawerha Nostalgia, audiences will have a unique opportunity to relive cherished moments and connect with the soundtrack of their youth in a curated experience designed to celebrate a pivotal period in contemporary music. Short link : Post Views: 1
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Al Arabiya
Top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration
US immigration agents detained and later allowed the 'voluntary departure' of the world's most-followed TikToker, Khaby Lame, after he 'overstayed' his visa, authorities said Saturday. 'US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations,' the agency said in a statement to AFP. Lame entered the United States on April 30 and 'overstayed the terms of his visa,' the statement said of the Friday detention, adding that he was released the same day. The Italian national, who is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has a following of more than 162 million on TikTok, 'has since departed the US.' Lame had not immediately posted publicly about the incident as of Saturday afternoon. Since taking power in January, US President Donald Trump has delivered on campaign promises to tighten immigration controls and carry out a mass deportation drive -- aspects of which have been challenged in US courts. Lame holds top spot on the wildly popular TikTok social media app, with 162.2 million followers and has risen to fame for his short silent videos mocking the convoluted tutorials and tips that abound on the internet. He punctuates his videos with a trademark gesture -- palms turned towards the sky, accompanied by a knowing smile and wide eyes -- as he offers his own simple remedies. The idea for his content came to him while wandering around the housing project where his family lived in Chivasso, near Turin, after losing his factory mechanic's job in March 2020. His posts took off -- helping him gross an estimated $16.5 million through marketing deals with companies in the period between June 2022 and September 2023, according to Forbes.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration
LOS ANGELES, United States: US immigration agents detained and later allowed the 'voluntary departure' of the world's most-followed TikToker, Khaby Lame, after he 'overstayed' his visa, authorities said Saturday. 'US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations,' the agency said in a statement to AFP. Lame entered the United States on April 30 and 'overstayed the terms of his visa,' the statement said of the Friday detention, adding that he was released the same day. The Italian national, who is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has a following of more than 162 million on TikTok, 'has since departed the US.' Lame had not immediately posted publicly about the incident as of Saturday afternoon. Since taking power in January, US President Donald Trump has delivered on campaign promises to tighten immigration controls and carry out a mass deportation drive — aspects of which have been challenged in US courts. Lame holds top spot on the wildly popular TikTok social media app, with 162.2 million followers and has risen to fame for his short silent videos mocking the convoluted tutorials and tips that abound on the Internet. He punctuates his videos with a trademark gesture — palms turned toward the sky, accompanied by a knowing smile and wide eyes — as he offers his own simple remedies. The idea for his content came to him while wandering around the housing project where his family lived in Chivasso, near Turin, after losing his factory mechanic's job in March 2020. His posts took off — helping him gross an estimated $16.5 million through marketing deals with companies in the period between June 2022 and September 2023, according to Forbes.
