Fathi Afifi

Fathi Afifi was born in Cairo in 1950 and is a member of The Egyptian Plastic Art Association amongst others.

Fathi Afifi strives to expose the pulse of everyday Cairene life. His paintings capture the movement of the masses of people, or shaab, who travel through Cairo’s congested streets, sidewalks, train stations, factories and coffee shops. Afifi is himself a product of the culture that he illustrates in this work.

Afifi seeks to reflect reality. His paintings reflect how Egyptians’ daily routine has become mechanical and impersonal. Bold brush strokes, textured canvas and sketch-like technique convey the grittiness of streets and the transience of the perpetual movement of people and machines. Monotonous blank faces he paints show how masses can share little connection to their routine and those around them. He has participated in several solo and group exhibitions.