From Montreal to Egypt: A Journey Through Art and Life
My artistic journey began after meeting my second husband in New York, which led me back to Montreal and ignited a creative transformation. Travels to Italy, particularly the enchanting Lake Como, sparked my artistic spirit, culminating in exhibitions at the prestigious Villa Carlotta. My 17-year marriage opened doors to Europe, where my stepdaughters lived in Paris and London, their determination and resilience inspired me through life’s challenges, especially after our eventual divorce.
Graduating from McGill University with a degree in Political Science, I chose the path of art over diplomacy. This decision led to impactful art exhibitions, such as the 2000 showcase on Eastern Europe at Montreal’s Polish Consulate. However, my artistic career reached a pivotal moment in 2003, when an art curator, Bousmaha Seddiki, attended one of my art shows and invited me to participate in the annual Rally-Expos Vues d’Afrique festival in Montreal. This collaboration blossomed into a long-term partnership, introducing me to Gamal Zayda, Montreal Director of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram. Gamal recognized the potential for a cultural exchange initiative and introduced me to Mr. Amr Elezzabi, Director for Canada of the Egyptian Tourist Authority.
In 2004, I embarked on a transformative journey to Egypt to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Egypt. Upon arriving in Cairo, I was welcomed by a personal guide and driver, marking the beginning of an incredible cultural exploration. Egypt expanded my worldview and deeply influenced my artistic vision. Through the lens of my camera, I captured the magnificence of its timeless sites, immersing myself in the mystical realms of creation myths and ancient legends. My art and photography reflected the complexity, richness, and humanity of Egyptian culture.
This experience inspired the creation of a cultural art project to bridge the Western and Arab worlds. Upon returning to Montreal, I worked tirelessly in my lab, using innovative techniques like superimposing images, and creating a new method called pintography. Black-and-white photographs were tinted with desert hues, emphasizing the timeless grandeur of Egypt. I transferred these images onto large canvas formats to evoke the profound beauty and history I had experienced and painted over with oil paint.
The resulting Egyptian art series debuted in Montreal, followed by an exhibition at Cairo’s Al-Ahram Main Art Gallery. In 2005, the Egyptian Ministry of Culture invited me to present the series at the Ahmed Shawki Museum. That same year, I showcased my work at the Egyptian Cultural Centre in Paris. In 2006, my series gained international acclaim with an art exhibition at Harrods in London, organized in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom and Harrods’ then-owner, Mr. El Fayed. The launch reception attracted ambassadors from Egypt, Syria, and Algeria, solidifying art’s role in fostering diplomatic and cultural connections.
This journey also marked the beginning of my quest to use art as a bridge between the Western and Arab worlds. Subsequent travels to Syria, Jordan, Jerusalem, and Turkey enriched my dedication to fostering artistic dialogue. Each art exhibition, from Montreal to Harrods, underscored the transformative power of art to inspire understanding and reconciliation between civilizations.
Through superimposed tinted images, blending desert hues with timeless narratives, my work continues to celebrate the extraordinary civilizations of the Arab world while advocating for cultural harmony and mutual appreciation.
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