Weaam El Masry

Vita

Weaam El Masry is an Egyptian Cairo-based multi-award winning visual artist. She holds a PH.D. in media art from the Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University. She is currently working as a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts & Design, MSA University. She is a curator and co-founder of Easel and Camera contemporary art gallery located in Egypt.

She is also a painter who at times moves to photography, animation and installation. Her work has been exhibited at galleries, festivals, Art Fairs, Biennales and museums locally and internationally notably; Venice Biennale 59th. 2022, “Egypt International Art Fair” (2020), “The Sixth Silk Road International Arts Festival”, Shaanxi Provincial Museum of Fine Arts – China (2019), Beirut Art Fair (2018), the Biblical Book and Book-Object Biennale, 1st edition, National Literary Museum – Bucharest, Romania (2018), the 10th Luxor International Painting Symposium, The Egyptian Ministry Of Culture (Through Its Cultural Development Fund), Luxor, Egypt (2017), the Florence Biennale, Italy (2015), 5th Beijing International Art Biennale, China (2012), One Minute Film & Video Festival in Aarau, Switzerland (2008), The Egyptian Museum of Contemporary Art, and many group and solo exhibitions in Egypt and abroad.

With over than 25 awards and scholarships from different institutions in Egypt and abroad; for example but not limited to; The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists (2012), the Culture Resource Award for Artistic Production for Young Arab Artists & Writers – the Arab region (2006), D.A.A.D, Germany (2005-2006), Pro-Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council (2010), Alexandria library, Egypt (2005), Kulturamt Düsseldorf, Germany (2002) and over 75 exhibitions under her belt.

El Masry’s works are in private and public Collections; notably Bibliotheca Alexandrina; The Museum of Egyptian Modern Art, National Literary Museum Bucharest, Romania and private collections in Egypt, Germany, USA, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Spain.

Education

2007: Ph.D. in Media Arts, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Orman, Giza, Egypt.
Thesis title: The visual structure in Media Art works
2002: Master degree in Fine Arts, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Orman, Giza, Egypt
Thesis title: The construction at the Impressionist’s work
1998: Bachelor of Applied Arts, Decoration Department, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Orman, Giza, Egypt. Final Grade: Very Good with Honor

Work Experience

September 2015 till now: Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts & Design, MSA University, 6th. October City.
July – August 2012 (5weeks): Teaching an academic course for undergraduate students – University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
2007 until 2011 (4 years): Lecturer of Drawing & painting at the School of Continuing Education – the American university in Cairo, Egypt
2006 (1 semester): lecturer at The Higher Institute For Applied Arts – 5th Compound, Egypt
2006 (1 semester): lecturer at the Higher institution of Applied Arts, 6th of October city, Egypt
1999 – 2006 (7 years): Assistant lecturer (part-time), the Faculty of Applied Arts, 6th of October University, Egypt

Work Experiance (non-academic)

Since 2008 until now: Artistic director and founder of “Easel and Camera – Contemporary art gallery”, Cairo.
2020: Jury member at the Black & White drawing Salon, Gizeera Art Center, Sector of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture, Egypt.
2019: Creative jury member for Regional Children’s Art Competition on the occasion of World Health Day 2019, World Health Organization, Cairo.
2019: Commissaire of the Pioneers Competition – Edition 59, Art lovers Association, Egypt.
March 2016 – March 2017 (1 year): Director of the second edition of the international Digital arts Festival, DI_EGY Fest.
April 2016: Commissaire of female artists’ exhibition, Beijing Federation of Women, China.
15th October – 15th November 2014 (1 month): Advisor of the Egyptian Minister of Culture for grants and funding affairs – the Egyptian Ministry of Culture – Egypt.
August 2011 until November 2013 (2 years – 3 months): Projects Manager at Pro Helvetia Cairo office, the Swiss Arts council.
April 2011: Organizing and curating the Illustration art workshop at Darb 1718 in co-operation with Pro-Helvetia “Swiss arts council”, Cairo
September 2010: Organizing and curating an interactive art workshop in co-operation with Pro-Helvetia “Swiss arts council”, Cairo
2010: Commissaire of the Salon of Youth, Sector of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture, Egypt
2009 till October 2010 (1 year): Head of Passage 35 Screening Hall, Sector of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture, Egypt
2009: Head of Mekias Khan Gallery, Menesterly Palace, Sector of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture, Egypt
2009: Commissaire of the Egyptian pavilion at The Biennial of Cuenca, Ecuador
2007-2008 (1 year): Assistant Commissaire of The First International Media Art Forum for Youth „IMAFY“- Ministry of culture – Egypt

Academic Researches

16-18 FEB. 2016: Participation with presentation and a research paper, the Plastic Arts and Community service, 2nd international conference, Luxor, Egypt.

2020: Research paper ‚A Critical Review on the Differences between an Art Student and a Design Student in their Critical Thinking and Learning Style‘, Journal of Design Sciences and Applied Arts, 1(2), pp. 88-97.
doi: 10.21608/jdsaa.2020.28503.1013

International Exhibitions

2022: Presenting the Egyptian Pavilion at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, Artificial Intelligence media installation, Italy.
2020: Taking part in “EGYPT INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR”, paintings & drawings, Cairo, Egypt.
2019: Taking part in “THE SIXTH SILK ROAD INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL”, Shaanxi Provincial Museum Of Fine Art, Ministry Of Culture And Tourism Of The People’s Republic Of China.
2018: BEIRUT ART FAIR, paintings, Beirut, Lebanon.
2018: LUXOR-INTERNATIONAL-SALON, drawing, Luxor, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2018: THE BIBLICAL BOOK AND BOOK-OBJECT BIENNALE, 1ST EDITION, NATIONAL LITERARY MUSEUM – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA. (Group exhibition)
2016: Participating in “What is the worst discussion in the world? Jesuit Cultural Center, Garage Gallery Hall, Alexandria EGYPT. (Group exhibition)
2016: Participation in “China and Egypt Cultural year 2016 – China meets Egypt: Culture Diversity and Dialogue, Beijing, China, March 2016. (Group exhibition)
2015: Participating in the X Florence Biennale, October 2015, Florence, Italy
2015: Participating in the 3rd. Upper Egypt Salon, Drawing, Luxor, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2014: Participating in a collective exhibition under the title of “FIVE” at RO’IYA gallery, Saudi Arabia.
2014: Participating in a collective exhibition under the title of “FIVE” at Albareh gallery, Bahrain.
2012: Participating at the 5th Beijing International Art Biennale, China, 2012, Painting. (Group exhibition)
2010: Arabian cultural week, Pretoria, Johannesburg, photography (Group exhibition)
2008: Participated in One Minute Film & Video Festival in Aarau, Switzerland, Animation film
2007: Participated in the Egyptian Cultural week in Algeria, Ministry of Culture (Group exhibition)
2007: Presenting Egypt in a Photography exhibition concerning Mediterranean Countries under the title (Mediterranean Landscape), Il Lazio, Italy. (Group exhibition)
2007: Participated in the Egyptian artist’s Exhibition in Spain under title (Egipto Artes Plasticas), DIPUTACION DE ALICANTE, Spain (Group exhibition)
2007: Participated in (Images of Egypt) Exhibition photography, Nepal (Group exhibition)
2006: Participated in (Artiste Egiziane) Exhibition, Graphic, Giovinazzo BARI, Associazione PROLOCO, Italy
2005: Participated in Teramo Open City Exhibition, photography, Ministry of Culture, Termo, Italy (Group exhibition)
2005: Participated in an Annual festival for the recognition of the Egyptian civilization Southern Korea (Gwacheon Hanmadang Festival ) (Group exhibition)
2002: Participated in Kunstpunkte, Photography, Düsseldorf, Germany. (Solo exhibition)
2002: Participated in WHITE Exhibition, photography, Germany (Solo exhibition)

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS & SYMPOSIUMS

2022: AadD – Atelier an der Donau Painting Symposium, YBBS, Austria.
2020: Baqaa Association Painting Symposium, Fifth edition, Jordan.
2019: CHITRASHAALA INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY, jüSTa Lake Nahargarh Palace, Parsoli, India.
2019: SYMPOSIUM ENSEMBLE D’ART CONTEMPORAIN, Hammamet, Tunisia.
2017: 10TH LUXOR INTERNATIONAL PAINTING SYMPOSIUM, The Egyptian Ministry of Culture (through its Cultural Development Fund), Luxor, Egypt.
July – September 2012: The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists, Centro Colombo Americano, Colombia
June 2010: Curator in residence scholarship from (Pro-Helvetia) “Swiss arts Council”, Switzerland
2005 – 2006: Short-term scholarship from the D.A.A.D (German academic exchange service) for a period of three months (1/11/2005 till 31/1/2006) in Pforzheim, Germany (Fachhochschule Pforzheim / FB Gestaltung) to collect academic materials for my Ph.D. under the supervision of Frau. Prof. Dr. Susan Hefuna
2005: Artist-in-residence, Alexandria library, drawing, Alexandria.
2002: Stay as a guest artist, scholarship from Kulturamt Düsseldorf, International exchange program (August till November 2002.), Photography, Germany
1998: Artist residency at Luxor’s studios, Cultural Houses, Ministry of Culture, Egypt.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS

2022: Taking part at a workshop and art competition organized by the IOM “international Organization of Migration” under the authority of UN United Nations and funded by the European Union at Darb1718 to Promoting Community Cohesion between Migrants and Egyptians Through Art.
2018: Leading an experimental drawing workshop under the title of “Identity between academia & experimentation”, Art lovers Association, Egypt.
2011: “The Picture Story” workshop under the supervision of John Perkins, Townhouse Gallery of contemporary art
2011: An Illustration art workshop at Darb 1718 in co-operation with Pro-Helvetia “Swiss arts council” under the supervision of the Swiss artist (joëlle flumet)
2010 : An interactive art workshop in co-operation with Pro-Helvetia “Swiss arts council” under the supervision of the Swiss artists (Marc Lee, Shusha Niederberger and Alexander Tuchacek)
2008: Workshop organized by Passage 35 on (Cut-out animation) under the supervision of the Egyptian animator Mohamed Gazala, Egypt
2008: Workshop organized by Palace of Art, Opera House on (3D modeling) under the supervision of the Swiss artists (Collectif-Fact) Group. (Annelore Schneider, Swann Thommen, Claude Piguet), Egypt
2008: Workshop organized by Town House Gallery on (One minutes video) under the supervision of the video artists (Aukje Dekker and Vava Stojadinovic) – One Minutes Foundation, 2008, Egypt
2007: Workshop at CIC on (Experimental Documentary Short Films) under the supervision of the Swiss artist Tomas Isler, Egypt
2007: Workshop at Goethe Institute on (Design) under the supervision of the German designer Anja Lutz, Egypt
2007 :Workshop at CIC on (Documentary photography) under the supervision of the Taiwanese photographer Chien-Chi Chang, Egypt
2006: Workshop at CIC on (photography) under the supervision of the artists, Andreas Rost & Eva Bertram, Egypt
2005 :Workshop on (Graphic – zinc prints), Biennale of Graphic, Ministry of culture, Egypt
2005: Workshop on (pin hole camera + vandike method), Palace of Art, Opera House, Egypt
2004: Workshop at Town House Gallery (photography) under the supervision of the German Photographer, Andreas Rost, Egypt
2004: International workshop on (Graphic – zinc prints), 15th of May art center, Ministry of culture, Egypt
2003: Workshop at Goethe Institute on (photography), (Old Process – Gum Bichromate), under the supervision of the German artist Petra Schneider, Egypt
2002: Workshop at Goethe Institute on (Ceramics), under the supervision of the Egyptian artist Shawky Maroof, Egypt
2001: Workshop at Goethe Institute on (photography &Typography) under the supervision of the artists (Beat presser & Vera pechel), Egypt
2000: International workshop on (Fashion & Media), faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Egypt
1999&2000: Workshop at Goethe Institute on Bronze Casting under the supervision of the German artist Egypt Bruno Wank, Egypt

NATIONAL EXHIBITIONS

2022: Taking part at Cairo international art district second edition 10 October, 2022 – 30 October, Founders spaces downtown.
2021: Taking part at “Fragments of a Land”, collective exhibition, Cairo international art district First edition, ACCESS ART SPACE, Downtown.
2020: SOLO EXHIBITION “UNTAMED BODIES”, Gallery Misr, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt.
2020: Participation in the “National Exhibition for Fine Arts”, painting, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt (Group exhibition).
2019: Participation in “TCC COLLECTIVE VISUAL ART EXHIBITION”, Drawings, AUC – Tahrir Cultural Center, Cairo (Group exhibition).
2018: SALON OF CAIRO, Drawings, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt (Group exhibition).
2018: Participation in “SHE” exhibition, Drawing, Ebdaa Art Gallery, Zamalek, Cairo. (Group exhibition).
2017: SOLO EXHIBITION (1998 – 2017), Drawings & Paintings, Easel and Camera Gallery, Egypt. (Solo exhibition)
2017: SELECTIVE EXHIBITION, Drawings, Easel and Camera Gallery, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2016 – 2017: “The Cairo Art Fair II”, Drawings & Paintings, Artsmart Gallery, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2016: National Exhibition for Fine Arts, Painting, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2016:“FROM HERE & THERE”, Drawing & Painting Exhibition, Art Lounge Gallery, Zamalek, Egypt. (Solo exhibition)
2015: “THE FORBIDDEN”, Painting Exhibition, ArtTalks Gallery, Zamalek, Egypt. (Duet Exhibition)
2014: “NOTA”, Drawing and Painting Exhibition, Easel and Camera Gallery, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2013: “THE GOLDEN FLY”, Drawing and Painting Exhibition, ArtTalks Gallery, Egypt (Solo exhibition)
2011: “SUBLIMATION”, Drawing and Painting Exhibition, Gizeera Art Center, Egypt (Solo exhibition)
2010: “Black & white Exhibition”, drawing, Gizeera Art Center, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2010: “Why Not?”, Object installation, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2009: Solo Photography exhibition, Gizeera Art Center, Egypt
2009: The Third annual CiC photography exhibition and raffle on the roof, photography, The Contemporary Image Collective (CIC), Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2009: National Exhibition for Fine Arts, video, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2008: National Exhibition for Fine Arts, Media Installation, Modern art Museum, Opera House, Ministry of Culture, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2008: (Bibliotheca Alexandrina Art Collections) Exhibition, Arts Center, Alexandria Library, Alexandria, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2008: The 3rd international salon of Youth, ATELIER OF ALEXANDRIA, Photography. (Group exhibition
2008: The 1st Artellewa miniature arts exhibition (100 mm), photography, Artellewa space for contemporary art, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2008: The second annual CiC photography exhibition and raffle on the roof, photography, The Contemporary Image Collective (CIC), Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2007: A screening of short videos under the title of (THE VOCABULARY OF THE MUNDANE), Contemporary Image Center), Egypt (Group exhibition)
2007: Nile Salon for Photography, Ministry of Culture, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2007: Victory Forum for fine arts, Drawing, Port Said Egypt (Group exhibition)
2006: Stars of Today Exhibition, Horizontal one gallery, photography, Ministry of Culture. (Group exhibition)
2006: The resident artist Exhibition, Drawing, Alexandria library), Egypt (Group exhibition)
2005: Form through light Exhibition, light installation, Ministry of Culture, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2004: Creative Women artists’ festival, Photography, Gizeera Art Center, Egypt.(Group exhibition)
2004: Creative Women artists’ festival, Photography installation, Gizeera Art Center, Egypt (Group exhibition)
2004: 5th of Nile Salon for Photography, Ministry of Culture, Egypt. (Group exhibition)
2003: Drinnen & DrauBen Exhibition, Duet Exhibition with German artist (Petra Schnieder), Photography, Goethe Institute, Cairo, Egypt
2003: photography Exhibition, Gizeera Art Center, Egypt (Solo exhibition)
2001 &2003: Biennale Port said, painting, Egypt (Group exhibition)
1999 &2000 &2002-2004: The Annual salon of small art works, Ministry of Culture, photography &Painting, Center of Arts, Egypt.
1999 &2001 &2003& 2005: National Exhibition for Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture, (photography, Painting) Center of Arts, Egypt (Group exhibition)
1999 &2001-2006: Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, (painting & photography), Egypt (Group exhibition)
1998&2000-2007: Salon of youth, (Painting &Drawing & photography), Ministry of Culture, Egypt
(Group exhibition)

Awards

2022: Been selected through an official competition to present Egypt at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, with a collaborative Artificial Intelligence media art installation, Italy.
2015: CIB Bank acquisition award, the 3rd. Upper Egypt Salon, Drawing, Luxor, Egypt.
2007: Second award (Drawing), Victory Forum for fine arts Port Said, Port Said, Egypt
2006-2008: Dedication award “Photography”, The Supreme Council of Culture, Ministry of Culture, Egypt
2006: Graphic award, Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
2006: Culture Resource Award for Artistic Production for Young Arab Artists & Writers, (Video Installation), Egypt
2005: Drawing award, Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
2004: photography Award, Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
2004-2005: Dedication award “Painting”, The Supreme Council of Culture, Ministry of Culture, Egypt
2003: An encouragement award (painting), Biennale Port Said, Egypt
2003: Second award (painting), Rateb Seddik Award Exhibition, Atelier D’Caire, Egypt
2003: First award (painting), Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
2003: Salon award (photography), Salon of Youth, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt
2002: Third award (painting), Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
2002: Salon Certificate (photography), Salon of Youth, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt
2001-2003: Dedication award “Painting”, The Supreme Council of Culture, Ministry of Culture, Egypt
2001: An encouragement award (painting), Biennale Port Said, Egypt
2001: Third award (painting), Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
2001: First award (painting) &third award (photography), Salon of Youth, Art palace, Cairo Opera House, Egypt
1999 : Second award (painting), Pioneers Exhibition, Art lovers Association, Egypt
1999 -2000: Dedication award “Painting”, The Supreme Council of Culture, Ministry of Culture, Egypt

Acquisition

Museum of Modern art, Egypt
Ministry of Culture, Egypt
Alexandria library, Egypt
15th May Art Center (Graphic Museum), Egypt
Cultural Development Fund
Private collection of individuals in Egypt, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Switzerland, USA and Spain

Memberships

Art lovers Association
Applied Arts Designers Syndicate
Syndicate of Plastic Arts
Egyptian Salon of photography

REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST