It’s no secret that the pandemic created a huge shift in the art world. When everything went online I suddenly felt like there was more art than ever before and it was more accessible than ever before. In many ways, should be incredible, right? Emerging artists were gaining more exposure, art education was becoming more accessible, platforms like Mathqaf flourished, and people suddenly had the time of pursuing their creative interests and so much more. But now that we have these highly digitised art spaces along with all the galleries reopening and in-person events happening, I feel burnout and overstimulation in the air.

Whether art is a hobby, a career, or just something you enjoy consuming, too much of it may lead to burnout just like anything else. I think l like there’s such big pressure to either constantly be creating something or be constantly engaged in the culture or else you end up behind or out of the loop. I clearly love art in so many different ways, but after the year and a half we had I also missed finding art organically, I missed being surprised at exhibits, seeing my reflection on the glass displays, and I missed seeing others in the flesh just as mesmerised. Earlier this summer, I took a break from writing and I wasn’t making much art either. I also deleted all my socials and gave myself a breather from consuming what felt like every single thing in the world. I also just really wanted to fall in love with art again. I started looking for art in the streets and my everyday life again. I would stop to take pictures of storefronts with pretty typography and spend hours flipping through used design books at the Cairo Book Fair. I quickly started to realise that art, and finding joy and beauty in the small details is a discipline that requires practice and balance. Starting to find a healthy rhythm is as nourishing for our brains as it is our soul, and I started to feel inspired again. 

Here are some art/artists/places that have been good for my brain+soul

The Infinite Blue by Lulwah Al Hamoud

I discovered Al Hamoud’s work in the beginning of the year and was lucky enough to catch this installation a few months later. Al Hamoud is one of the pioneers of Saudi’s  contemporary art movement. She uses intricate geometric designs that are based on the mathematical codes of the Arabic alphabet and she composes them into beautiful shapes that in her view symbolise  her faith. In an interview with Harpar’s Bazaar she said ‘Islam itself offers us a universal message. It did not come just to Arabs or a certain race—it is for everyone. It is about spirituality and connecting to one God. I see Islam as a way of life and my art is about my faith.’. The Infinite Blue is an immersive experience where you are surrounded by a specific blue color which symbolises the sky at sunrise and sunset prayer times, along with animated geometric patterns. 

Cairopolitan’s Cairo Print Exhibit

This exhibit reminded me of why I love Cairo so much. Across three different venues (including a really sick outdoor one) and featured 169 different artists. The prints ranged from everything from social commentaries to cultural symbolism to movie references and just showed me how diverse and refreshing Egyptian talent is. Along with the incredible art, the exhibit being setup across three different venues in a beautiful area next to the Nile, let me walk around between parts of the exhibit while taking in the city that has been the home of some of the coolest artists the world has ever seen.

Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo 

Let’s just say I have MANY opinions on museums in Egypt but this one was such a pleasant surprise! Recently renovated, the museum features all types of islamic art, ranging from carpets to antiques to whole structures, from different era’s and regions in Islamic history. I really loved how carefully and beautifully curated this museum was and left realising just how much untapped potential Islamic art has.