Essam darwish’s sculptures revive Egyptian rural life
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In Cairo, artist Essam Darwish presented his exhibition “Authentically Egyptian” at the “Al-Mashhad” gallery, featuring sculptures and sketches that depict the lives of Egyptian farmers and their daily routines.
Darwish created 55 works, including 25 sculptures and 30 sketches in bronze and charcoal, portraying scenes of rural life such as carrying bread, harvesting crops, and working in the fields.
He began this series after documenting prominent Egyptians in various fields, turning his attention to the farmers he remembered from his childhood. Darwish believes those who built the nation’s identity deserve to be remembered, and that the Egyptian woman, with her dedication and work, is a star worthy of commemoration. He observed a decline in the visibility of rural life starting in the late 1980s and early 1990s, prompting him to capture these figures before their image faded.
The artist spent years observing farmers in the Qalyubia Governorate near his grandfather’s home, and these observations gradually formed the basis of his artwork over three years. Darwish intentionally chose green for the bronze sculptures to connect the work visually to nature and the themes of giving and the land. The exhibition, running until November 15, combines his sculptures and charcoal drawings to present a cohesive vision of rural Egyptian life.
