Salah Jaheen (Works in his Own Handwriting)
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Salah Jaheen is considered one of the most important caricaturists in Egypt in the period between the mid fifties until the seventies. Jaheen has depicted the bright side of the July revolution. His revolutionary ideas expressed his Egyptian and Arab patriotic sentiments in the years following the July revolution through his regularly published political caricatures. The heavy political burden did not suffice, Jaheen was also interested in the changes that alighted upon the social life and class structures in Egypt after the fall of the monarchy. Jaheen tried to trace the psychological and social changes in Egypt after the revolution. Thus, his characters represented different sectors of the Egyptian society with impeccable accuracy. His works are characterized by simple lines and were influenced by his many talents especially his ability to compose popular poetry which unveils his excellence and unique sensitivity.
Now, 20 years after his death, the Center for the Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT) and the Arts Center join hands to renew the call for contemplating 200 caricatures by the great artist, through one of the projects of the Center for the Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage to document the "Caricature Movement in Egypt in the 20th Century" . Despite the lapse of so many years, Jaheen's works still bring joy to our hearts, excitement to our minds and bear testimony to an immaculate Egyptian genius and an artistic talent that traces an important period in the history of Egypt.
This exhibition will be held in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on 18 January 2007 until 28 February 2007 in the West Hall at the Conference Center.