Maryam El Sayed Bakry

Egypt

"The artist's work delves into themes of human connection and community, often using the act of sharing a meal as a central motif."

MEET

Mariam El Sayed Bakry

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1999, this emerging Egyptian painter is a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Painting Department (Class of 2023). With a practice that merges artistic creation and education, they have already participated in a number of respected exhibitions across Egypt. Highlights include the Dai Art Gallery for Graduates, Mahmoud Saeed Museum Art Gallery, Youth Visual Arts Exhibitions (2023 and 2024), the Egypt-Japan University’s Visual Arts Exhibition, the Russian Institution Art Gallery, and the second edition of Cairo Artweek in Sheikh Zayed.

Their work centres on themes of human connection, memory, and ritual, using the shared meal as a recurring symbol. In their paintings, the table transcends its physical function to become a poetic stage of intimacy, where stories unfold, relationships deepen, and moments of vulnerability are exposed. Each composition celebrates togetherness, evoking a collective nostalgia rooted in everyday life.

With a process driven by intuition and emotional spontaneity, their brushwork reveals subconscious thoughts and internal landscapes. The resulting works are layered, expressive, and profoundly relatable, reminding viewers of the quiet beauty found in shared experiences and the universal need for belonging.

As they continue to exhibit and teach, this Alexandrian artist is carving a space in Egypt’s contemporary art scene, using visual storytelling to reflect the emotional architecture of community and the enduring power of simple, human rituals.

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