Art Cairo 2025: A landmark event for Egypt’s art scene
Art Cairo returned to the Grand Egyptian Museum for its third edition, bringing a larger venue, a broader international presence, and a deeper engagement with Egypt’s artistic heritage. The fair, which concluded on February 11, 2025, showcased an impressive mix of modern and contemporary art, fostering connections between Egypt’s rich cultural past and today’s evolving art scene.
A Bigger Stage for Art
This year’s edition moved to a more spacious location within the museum, just beyond the lobby, where the statue of Ramesses II stood as an imposing entrance. The shift in venue allowed Art Cairo to integrate contemporary artworks with the surrounding ancient Egyptian artifacts, creating a dynamic interplay between historical and modern creativity.
Celebrating Egyptian and Regional Art
One of the highlights of the fair was the special booth dedicated to Egyptian modernist painter Samir Rafi, featuring his distinctive figurative and surrealist works. Two standout pieces, The Rebellious Mummy and The Satisfied Mummy (both painted in 1958), captivated visitors with their cubist interpretations of mummies, rendered in deep ochre and crimson tones.
Syrian artist Nizar Sabour also presented his Egyptian Sarcophagi series, where he reimagined cultural icons—including Youssef Chahine, Naguib Mahfouz, Faten Hamama, and Umm Kulthum—through elongated panels that mimicked ancient Egyptian burial forms. His commissioned painting, inspired by the fair’s theme Peace to All Nations, welcomed visitors with a serene depiction of doves flying above olive trees, symbolizing harmony.
A Historic Collaboration with the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art
For the first time, the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art displayed significant works outside its permanent collection, bringing to the fair masterpieces by pioneering female Egyptian artists, such as Tahia Halim, Inji Aflatoun, Zeinab Abdel Hamid, and Naima Shishini. This collaboration with the Ministry of Culture marked a milestone, as museum-owned artworks had never before been exhibited in a private sector event.
Expanding the Global Reach
Art Cairo has been steadily expanding its international scope. This edition welcomed galleries from Palestine, Iraq, Bahrain, the Netherlands, and France, among others. Despite the broader participation, Arab art remained the focal point, with European exhibitors also showcasing works by Middle Eastern artists.
As Art Cairo founder Mohamed Younis observed, this growth has deepened international appreciation for Egyptian and Arab art. While galleries in previous editions were still exploring Egyptian collectors' preferences, they are now more confident and selective in their offerings, reflecting an evolving local taste.
Reconnecting Egypt’s Art Scene with the World
Art Cairo’s project manager, Noor Al Askar, noted that Egypt’s art scene had become somewhat insular following the 2011 revolution and the pandemic, with limited exposure to regional artists. However, the fair’s expanding scope has revived cross-cultural exchanges, enriching Egypt’s artistic landscape by introducing works from Iraq, Syria, and beyond.
“Egyptian collectors who once focused solely on local artists are now exploring works from across the Arab world,” Al Askar observed. This shift is fostering a more interconnected art market, strengthening Egypt’s role as a cultural hub in the region.
Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange
Beyond the exhibitions, Art Cairo’s talks program, Hiwar (Dialogue), provided a platform for discussions on contemporary Arab art. Notable panels included a conversation with artists Sabour, Khaled AlKhani, Ali Said, and Khaled Zaki, who explored the balance between cultural identity and global artistic trends. Another session focused on documenting and preserving modern Arab artworks, featuring art historians Valerie Didier and Hussam Rashwan.
A Lasting Impact on Egypt’s Art Market
As Art Cairo continues to grow, its influence on Egypt’s art scene and market dynamics becomes increasingly evident. The fair is not just a space for sales but also a cultural bridge, introducing Egyptian audiences to a wider artistic spectrum while strengthening international interest in Egyptian art.
With record participation and a broader global presence, Art Cairo 2025 reaffirmed Egypt’s status as a leading art destination in the region. As its organizers look ahead, the fair is set to continue expanding its reach, fostering artistic dialogue, and shaping the future of contemporary art in the Middle East.