Egyptian artist Nermine Hammam's first solo exhibition in the United Kingdom, "Cairo, Year One," is currently on display in London. Pictured is detail of a work from her series called "Unfolding."
Painting the revolution —
Egyptian artist Nermine Hammam's first solo exhibition in the United Kingdom, "Cairo, Year One," is currently on display in London. Pictured is detail of a work from her series called "Unfolding."
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
The Cairo-based visual artist says Egypt's revolution has inspired her to produce a prolific amount of work -- five different bodies of work since January 2011.
Painting the revolution —
The Cairo-based visual artist says Egypt's revolution has inspired her to produce a prolific amount of work -- five different bodies of work since January 2011.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
A work from Hammam's "Unfolding," a series consisting of stylized Japanese landscapes, intersected with explicit footage, downloaded from the internet, of police brutality in the wake of the Egyptian revolution.
Painting the revolution —
A work from Hammam's "Unfolding," a series consisting of stylized Japanese landscapes, intersected with explicit footage, downloaded from the internet, of police brutality in the wake of the Egyptian revolution.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
Detail from one of Hammam's artworks depicting revolutionary Cairo. Hammam walked the streets around Tahrir Square daily, taking more than 70,000 photographs of the events unfolding.
Painting the revolution —
Detail from one of Hammam's artworks depicting revolutionary Cairo. Hammam walked the streets around Tahrir Square daily, taking more than 70,000 photographs of the events unfolding.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
A work from Hammam's series "Upekkha." "By reclaiming these soldiers as individuals, the artist seeks to reveal the vulnerability of youth parading behind the weaponry and masculinity of the military," says publicity for her show.
Painting the revolution —
A work from Hammam's series "Upekkha." "By reclaiming these soldiers as individuals, the artist seeks to reveal the vulnerability of youth parading behind the weaponry and masculinity of the military," says publicity for her show.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
Detail from one of Hammam's works depicting Egypt's revolution. The artist initially took photographs herself, then switched to using images from the internet when the streets became too violent.
Painting the revolution —
Detail from one of Hammam's works depicting Egypt's revolution. The artist initially took photographs herself, then switched to using images from the internet when the streets became too violent.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
Detail of a work from "Unfolding." "I have never done five bodies of work over such a short period, I don't think many people have," Hammam said.
Painting the revolution —
Detail of a work from "Unfolding." "I have never done five bodies of work over such a short period, I don't think many people have," Hammam said.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
Hammam described this series as "like shamanic art," using images of women to "conjure harmony."
Painting the revolution —
Hammam described this series as "like shamanic art," using images of women to "conjure harmony."
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
"When I thought everything was in chaos, I started creating mandalas," said Hammam. The mandalas represent "hope."
Painting the revolution —
"When I thought everything was in chaos, I started creating mandalas," said Hammam. The mandalas represent "hope."
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
"These images are a reaction to my unsettled external environment, a shamanic, transformative ritual to conjure harmony and restore order," Hammam wrote.
Painting the revolution —
"These images are a reaction to my unsettled external environment, a shamanic, transformative ritual to conjure harmony and restore order," Hammam wrote.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
"My warrior women combine the symbols of male and female power in one ... asking the universe for healing, and recalibration, through art," she wrote.
Painting the revolution —
"My warrior women combine the symbols of male and female power in one ... asking the universe for healing, and recalibration, through art," she wrote.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
Hammam says the revolution is something every Egyptian artist will be drawn to address in their own way, either explicitly or implicitly.
Painting the revolution —
Hammam says the revolution is something every Egyptian artist will be drawn to address in their own way, either explicitly or implicitly.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam
She says it is too soon to say whether the revolution will trigger an artistic revival in her homeland.
Painting the revolution —
She says it is too soon to say whether the revolution will trigger an artistic revival in her homeland.
Courtesy of Nermine Hammam