Omar El Nagdi

Omar El Nagdi was born in 1931, he studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts Helwan University. Nagdi obtained a diploma from the Venice-based Ruskin Artistic Appreciation Institute, Italy. He grew up to be a real artist where his talent was so evident making him an amazing sculptor, director, musical and philosopher. He participated in many exhibitions and Biennales in Egypt, Europe and the former Soviet Union where he was awarded a one-year scholarship to study ceramics in 1959. Given his passion and distinctive talent, he was awarded numerous awards including first prizes in Alexandria Biennale in 1966, 1968 and 1974 as well as had a pivotal role in establishing the Egyptian identity in modern Egyptian art.

He was known to be a magician of colors where his artwork was an evident proof of his exceptional gift for symbolic design and the unprecedented harmony of colours. His paintings were a great communication tool where he spilt his soul and feelings on his canvas playing around with textures, colors and symbolic elements. He managed to translate the Egyptian life into timeless symbolism, which made his artworks acquired by museums and renowned art institutions throughout the world.

Omar El Nagdi work is exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in Cairo, the Museum of Modern Art in Venice, the Museum of Fine Art in Alexandria, the Museum of Modern Art in South Korea, the National Library in Paris, the Congress Library in the USA, the Museum of Pistoia in Italy, the Rasking Foundation in England, the Centre of Aesthetics Research in Italy, and the Museum of the White House in the USA.