Monday, 25 May 2026
Cultivating history: Ibrahim El-Dessouki’s allegorical visions at Hafez Gallery
Egyptian painter Ibrahim El-Dessouki unveils his deeply evocative new exhibition, Testimony of the Soil, at No.9 Cork St in London, from October 9–25, 2025, presented in partnership with Hafez Gallery.
Curated by acclaimed art historian Dr. Sara Raza, the exhibition offers visitors a moving exploration of Egypt’s land, its people, and the enduring stories written into the very soil.
El-Dessouki, whose career as both artist and educator spans more than three decades, unveils a captivating series of allegorical paintings.
Drawing upon Egypt’s Ottoman and British colonial past, the country’s agricultural heritage, and the lived experience of the fallahin (agricultural laborers), El-Dessouki weaves a tapestry that is as rich in history as it is in emotional resonance.
Born in Cairo in 1969, El Dessouki is a painter of profound sensitivity and intellectual curiosity. With roots in an artistic and intellectual family, he was nurtured by Egyptology, art history, literature, and the cinematic arts from childhood. His practice intertwines the traditions of British modern painting with the endlessly diverse tapestry of Egyptian and Arab culture—bridging ancient and contemporary, East and West. Through each canvas, El-Dessouki offers us not just a window into Egypt’s past and present, but a gentle invitation to see ourselves reflected in its soil.
A particular highlight is his newest series of cotton flower paintings, inspired by Youssef Chahine’s cinematic masterpiece Al Ard (1969) and the 1954 novel Egyptian Earth by Abdel Rahman al-Sharqawi.
This body of work meditates on a pivotal scene set in a cotton field, unraveling new perspectives on Egypt’s complex relationship with its iconic crop—one that has shaped socio-political realities, fueled economies, and witnessed countless stories of resilience and struggle.
Beyond the cotton fields, El-Dessouki invites visitors into contemplative landscapes of cacti, olive trees, and earth—each motif offering a layered poetic testimony on themes of nourishment, endurance, melancholy, and hope. His paintings shimmer with symbolic meaning, serving as gentle meditations on the joys and hardships that define the human condition.
Dr. Raza’s thoughtful curatorial vision is complemented by a comprehensive, fully illustrated catalogue, and a public program designed to welcome and inspire. Highlights include guided curatorial walkthroughs, intimate conversations with the artist and curator, and a special screening of Al Ard, creating space for visitors to engage and reflect on the powerful interplay of art, history, and storytelling.
Founded in 2014 by Qaswra Hafez, Hafez Gallery has become a leading voice in Saudi and regional contemporary art, championing emerging and established artists across the Arab world. By fostering collaboration and dialogue, the gallery continues to broaden its reach—nurturing local talent, building community, and sharing the unique richness of Saudi and Arab visual culture with international audiences.
