Artspace Dubai is pleased to announce that it will be showcasing a solo show of works by prominent Egyptian artist, Adel El Siwi, on November 9, 2015. The exhibition will feature pieces from his latest exhibition titled Listen to the Beats. Artspace Dubai is proud to be in association with Gargash Enterprises for this exhibition.

Adel El Siwi was born in 1952 in Behera, Egypt. He studied medicine at Cairo University between 1970 and 1976, but simultaneously indulged in independent study at the Faculty of Fine Arts between 1974 and 1975. In 1980 he relocated to Milan in Italy, where he lived and worked for a decade before moving back to Cairo, where he continues to live and work.

El Siwi has had numerous solo shows at venues including Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art, Cairo (1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2006); Epreuve d’Artiste, Beirut (1993); Accademia d’Egitto, Rome (1996); Ammar Farhat, Tunis (2003); Al Riwaq, Manama (2003); Atassy Gallery, Damascus (2004); French Cultural Center, Alexandria (2005); Artspace, Dubai (2007, 2012); Mahmoud Khalil Museum, Cairo (2010); Galerie Inception, Paris (2012). Artspace London (2013).

He has participated in the Cairo Biennale (1996, 2008), the Sharjah Biennial (1997), and the Venice Biennale (2009). His work has been included in a number of group exhibitions, among them Rencontres Africaines, Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris (1994); Modernities and Memories, Venice Biennale, (1997); Transafrican Art, Orlando Museum, Miami, (2000); Word into Art: Artists of the Modern Middle East, (organized by the British Museum), Dubai (2008); Oum Kalsoum: La quatrième pyramide, IMA, Paris (2008); ItaliaArabia, Chelsea Art Museum, New York (2008). He was invited by “Le Laboratoire: Sculpture urbaine” to project his work onto historical buildings in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1996), Grenoble, France (2000), Alger, Algeria, (2003).

In addition to his career as a visual artist, El Siwi has translated numerous art historical texts into Arabic by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Paul Klee.

“Where does music emerge from and what is its final destination?

This question itself implies a sense of constant flow, a movement that abides by its own internal laws. The notes pour out like a sequence of waves relentlessly chasing each other according to an undeclared rhythm.

Might this be the secret of its charm?

The sound of music approaches me with arms wide open, like a dear friend intent on wrapping me in their embrace. A friend who never demands that I stop to ponder, but rather urges me forth... encourages me to lose myself in the passion for life. Music is not merely background noise that punctuates my day nor is it a backdrop for my work as a painter, it is a permanent reassuring companion eternally by my side. When I paint, it is the shield that protects my exposed flank from Cairo’s boisterous rumblings. Cairo, my beloved rowdy city....

When the music yanks me into its current, emotions overflow and from here it all starts. Music in its whole, not the tunes, not the sweet melodies and not the haunting vocals but music in and of itself is a sufficient stimulant.

These paintings are the result of my fascination since childhood with musical instruments; their astonishing forms and their effect on musicians when they play them… gestures, expressions or a simple meaningful grimace. I am paying a modest homage to the boundless generosity of music and its musicians”.

Gargash Enterprises noted: “Gargash Enterprises is delighted to be associated with Artspace gallery as sponsor, highlighting the stunning charismatic work of Adel El Siwi. Adel El Siwi’s artwork has inspired and brought joy to many lives, with a whimsical narration and energy that each piece expresses. Adel El Siwi continues to do so with each new series of works. Encouraging the promotion of Middle Eastern art and artists is something Gargash Enterprises is proud to support.”