Hossam Dirar, draws inspiration from his hometown of Cairo / As a multi-disciplinary artist working across painting, photography, installation and video, he trains his imagination to aspire to the undefined / His works are conceived as a reinterpretation of Egypt’s rich visual heritage, overlapping between the multi-cultural characters of Egypt, and its ever expanding urban façade and the influence of contemporary media in shaping cultural references / Dirar graduated from the Fine Arts department at Helwan University in Egypt and since then, has pursued further studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Barcelona / His works have been showcased in numerous solo and group shows across the Middle East, Europe and most recently in North America / He lives and works between Barcelona, Spain and Cairo, Egypt /

Solo Exhibitions

2017

‘Dirar goes Abstract’, solo show Art Represents, Cairo, Egypt

2014

‘A Vibrant’, Urbane Art Gallery, Edinburgh, UK

‘Beauty and the Beast’, Art Talks Gallery, Cairo, Egypt

‘Awaiting’, Albareh Gallery, Bahrain

2013

‘Lotus Revolution’, (2013 European Capital of Culture), Kosice, Slovakia

2012

‘Once Upon a Time’, Cairo Opera House, Cairo, Egypt

‘We Need New Oxygen’, Saad Zaghloul Cultural Center, Cairo, Egypt

‘Lotus Revolution Anniversary’, The Egyptian Academy, Rome, Italy

‘The Lotus Revolution’, The Egyptian Cultural Institute, Paris, France

2011

‘Wad3 Moshtarak’, El Sawy Culturewheel, Cairo, Egypt

‘Lotus Revolution’, Touring Exhibition Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, Budapest, Kecskemét, Maribor, Graz

‘To Egypt with Love II’, Safarkhan Gallery, Cairo, Egypt

‘To Egypt with Love’, Vienna Palais Porcia, Vienna, Austria

‘To Egypt with Love’, Safarkhan Gallery, Cairo, Egypt

2010

Chaos, Hanfaninha Gallery, Cairo, Egypt

Group Exhibitions

2017

‘FACES’ group exhibition, HOMME gallery by JM Art Management, Los Angeles, CA

2015

‘Olla’, Installation Art The 35th Annual General Exhibition, Cairo Opera House, Cairo, Egypt

2013

Arts-Mart’s Exhibition, The Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Cairo, Egypt

Division, Installation Art the 35th Annual General Exhibition, Cairo Opera House, Cairo, Egypt

Arts for Peace and Freedom, Darb 1718 Contemporary Art Culture Centre, Cairo, Egypt

2012

34th Annual General Exhibition Palace of Arts, Cairo Opera House, Cairo, Egypt

36th Salon of Youth, Center of Art, Cairo, Egypt

2011

Tutankhamun Festival The Festival of Egyptian Culture, Frankfurt, Germany

Freedom to Create Photography Exhibition Cape Town, South Africa

35th Salon of Youth, Center of Art, Cairo, Egypt

Workshops

2014

9th international art Symposium Atelier an der Donau, Austria

2013

INTERNATIONAL ARTDAYS ÖLÜDENİZ Fethiye, Turkey

Nominations

2014

Culture Trip Online, Chosen one of the top Egyptian Contemporary Artists

2013

Saatchi Gallery Online, Chosen one of the 12 artists in “Invest in Art”

Grants

2015

Salzburg international Academy of Fine Arts Course with Artist: VARDA CAIVANO

Residencies

2015

Independent Residency in Zurich, Switzerland for 1 week

Independent Residency in Bern, Switzerland for 1 week

• 2016 - 2018  Màster Art Sound, Facultat de Belles Arts, Universitat Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
• 2017 ‘Dirar goes Abstract’, solo show Art Represents, Cairo, Egypt
• 2017 ‘FACES’ group exhibition, HOMME gallery by JM Art Management, Los Angeles, CA
• 2015 Grant, Salzburg international Academy of Fine Arts Course with Artist: VARDA CAIVANO
• 2014 Solo show, ‘A Vibrant’, Urbane Art Gallery, Edinburgh, UK

Art is my way of expressing my concepts & perspectives in life. Life is full of images; through my art I try to capture the essence of those images on canvas. Abstract is my keyword. Nature is my inspiration. Mind, shapes, and imaginations are my basic elements. My digital art explores the magic of our heritage in a new contemporary vision & give ‘rebirth’ to old & traditional icons; with the genuine use of colors, calligraphy, icons, & patterns. Through my artwork I try to bring to life the beauty of old times, the depth of memorable images in a modern unique vision. Thus text & calligraphy are features that I use. The strong impact of words merged with the patterns make the piece of art a true illustration of my perspectives. All is one & one is all… Observing different elements & shapes in nature my minds start to work. My imagination starts to see manifestation beyond what we normally see; the invisible in the visible. I capture these manifestations, reduce them to their basic forms, blend them again creating something completely new full of life and movement. Creating an original piece of art that combines the essence of an idea & the emotion of my inner consciousness. The result is originality, something you have never seen before. Each one experiences these new illustrations depending on his imagination, beliefs, & perspective in life. And that’s the beauty of Abstract art. Being different is thinking different. In my artwork everything is possible. Any color is allowed. All shapes, forms & colors can be mixed together. In Art a fish doesn’t have to be in the sea. Everything I observe or experience in life inspires me; everyday small details, everything surrounding us, time, heritage, and memories. I hope to make people see things that their eyes usually don’t see; showing them images of what they feel. I wish to deliver my perceptions to the world; and Art is my way. Hoping that people start to feel the essence of things, only then they will see their own images in life.