After having been driven to a state of total despair and hopelessness, unable to foresee any change that would make things better. Suddenly the unexpected happened.

During the year before the revolution, Helmi El Touni shared that sad state of mind with most of Egyptians, painting artworks full of sorrow and sometimes bitter sarcastic criticism. Sometimes, his paintings were wishful and perhaps prophetic.

After the 25th of January, Helmi’s state of mind changed. Consequently, the majority of his work shown in this exhibition depicts innocent girls and happy radiant women celebrating the Egyptian flag, a flag that has regained its dignity.

About the Artist

Helmi El Touni was born in 1934 and he is one of the Arab World’s best book cover illustrators and graphic designers.

He studied art at The Faculty of Fine Arts, Cairo, and holds a BA degree in theatrical design and painting. He has been involved in a variety of visual and fine arts activities, including publishing, puppet design for the puppet theater, and the development of national furniture patterns.

He has written and illustrated several children’s books published by UN organizations in many languages. Helmi received various Arab and international awards, such as the Leipzig International Fair medal.