The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Currently showing at Zamalek’s Gallery Misr, Magdy Naguib’s latest exhibition is perfectly named; Colour Lyrics aptly portrays the story-style of the paintings and every single one is a rainbow of positive energy , with the bright colours seeming to dance across the canvas.  Each individual piece is illustrated much like a children’s book and it was of no surprise to learn that Magdy Naguib has published more than seventy children’s books in his lifetime and this is something that can be seen in what is a refreshingly optimistic exhibition.

A mixture of colourful characters stand out in each scene, with round faces painted in blue, orange, green and yellow; all of them are flat, lacking in any depth whatsoever –  in fact it’s the simplicity that makes them so striking.  There’s also a clear element of inspiration from African culture in the paintings, from the African masks and the colourful costumes which are present throughout as Naguib has stated, “I draw inspiration from the African soul which is also ours, being the lifeblood running smoothly in our veins – the land and the Nile.”

Naguib also asserts that there is a connection between the colourful style he uses and the simple, colourful life led by the populations of Africa, despite the instability of the continent.  There are references to Egyptian culture, too, through the paintings of camels and pyramids, right down to the style of clothes the tiny characters are wearing. 

Another recurring theme in the paintings is that they all seem to focus on leisurely activities with images of colourful foods; men playing instruments and women dancing fill the canvases and create a joyous scene.  Even the children are seen carrying balloons, dancing, running and smiling.

The plywood canvases used are often large, yet the many figures inside are miniature in comparison, leaving a vast white space – another, more subtle, throwback to the pages within children’s books.  All are painted in acrylic which has become the most popular paint due to its flexible and convenient qualities such as the short amount of time it takes to dry. 

As a poet, journalist and artist, Naguib is to turn seventy years old in 2016, but has a rare gift to see life through the eyes of innocence and communicate that spirit through his work.