MEET
Hanafy Mohamed
Hanafy Mahmoud Mohamed (b. 1970, al-Wady al-Gadid, Egypt) is a leading Egyptian contemporary artist renowned for his emotionally charged figurative paintings. Based in Cairo, his practice spans over three decades and is rooted in a deep exploration of the human condition, social tension, and existential reflection.
Known for life-sized nude figures rendered with psychological intensity, Hanafy’s compositions often unfold against surreal, dreamlike backdrops that evoke introspection. His art is inspired by Cairo’s public life — crowded buses, weary faces, and silent expressions of dissent — and captures moments of emotional fragility, inner conflict, and collective resilience.
“The prime source of inspiration in my work is the human condition,” says Hanafy. “I observe the expressions of discontent, refusal, and weariness in public spaces — and it moves me. Humanity is always at the centre of my concerns.”
His work has been widely exhibited across Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East, earning numerous national and international accolades. He has shown in major salons and exhibitions, with his paintings held in prestigious collections including the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, the Dutch Embassy, and the Indian Embassy.
Hanafy continues to shape the discourse of contemporary African and Middle Eastern art, producing paintings that challenge, heal, and provoke through their unflinching honesty and visual poetry.
