Painter
Ahmed Saber
Born in 1987 in Sohag, Upper Egypt, Ahmed Saber obtained his graphic design degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts at South Valley University in 2009. Saber has actively taken part in both local and international competitions, earning recognition such as the painting award from the Arts Lovers Society in Cairo and a similar accolade at the 2017 Youth Salon (Salon El Shabab), among others. His art reflects a blend of the modern and ancient worlds.
Saber’s artistic style combines the precision of his graphic design background and exceptional drawing skills with a penchant for surrealism infused with an unmistakable Egyptian essence. In his artistic philosophy, he wholeheartedly embraces surrealism, creating a form of contemporary surrealism that reflects his heritage, upbringing, and artistic influences. Since joining Safarkhan as a resident artist in 2019, Saber’s artistic reputation has soared to the level his diligent and captivating art deserves, exhibiting the potential to become one of the nation’s foremost contemporary talents from a young age.
Saber’s paintings focus on exploring intellectual and psychological phenomena through realistic and surreal elements, creating a framework of surrealist irrationalism. He is obsessed with intricately-worked details, which serve as a key animating factor in his art, the entire painting often revolves around the expertly captured details, which typically manifest as symbols and motifs, with a particular emphasis on natural elements such as fish, pomegranates, and grapes. These elements hold deep spiritual meanings, many of which are important in ancient Egyptian culture and continue to hold significance for the people of his native Upper Egypt today.
Saber openly expresses his admiration for contemporary surrealists such as Laurie Lipton and Mark Ryden, whose art he closely aligns with in many aspects. He presents his surrealist interpretation of figures and symbols, rich with meaning drawn from various sources in Egyptian history – whether it be Islamic, folkloric, or Pharaonic – alongside distinctly modern imagery, creating a powerful contrast that emphasizes the continuity between past and present Egypt in remarkable ways. His art’s focus is constantly changing, and with an unending inquisitive curiosity, Saber consistently develops and elaborates on intensely original conceptual themes underlying his art.
