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Salah Abdel Kerim Art

1925-1988
Salah Abdel Kerim was born in 1925 in Fayoum, Egypt to a family of five. In 1938 he was trained under the renowned Egyptian painter Hussein Bikar. He graduated in 1947 with honors in ornamentation from the faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo. In 1948 he worked as an assistant to the interior decoration section at his University, then he received a grant to pursue his education in Europe and moved to France in 1952 to study Theatre Décor and Advertisement. In 1956, he studied Cinema Décor and obtained a Ph.D. from the “Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia” in 1957. A year later, he returned to Egypt to teach at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo, he was appointed its Dean in 1982. Abdel Kerim had a special connection with animals since his childhood. It is said that he enjoyed collecting insects, birds and butterflies as a child. Through his art, Abdel Kerim wanted to strengthen the relationship between humans and animals. His fondness for them is reflective in his many representations of animals, especially in his sculptures. The artist makes them full of wonder, appealing, approachable, easy to connect with. For his sculptures, the artist used mostly wood and metal, but he is most known for his scrap metal sculptures. In fact, in the Arab art world, he was given the nickname “The Scrap Artist”. He was fascinated with metal because of the common misconception that it is hard, unworkable, and permanent. However, light and air breaking down metal is for him a reminder that the work is perishable and decaying. His first sculpture, in 1959, was exhibited in Sao Paolo Biennale, Brazil where it won the National Sculpting Award. There was never any pre-conceptual design or preparation work for his sculptures. Abdel Kerim always started out randomly, inspired by the material itself. He didn’t want to call his work neither abstract nor figurative, he preferred the term “expressive” where each work expressed its own shape. He built up his works from the center of the piece to its final form interacting with light and air. He called it: “sculpting from emptiness”. Salah Abdel Kerim was a perfectionist who strived to be fluent in several artistic languages: ceramics, oil paintings, murals, posters for cinema and theater, costuming for theater, mosaics, sketches, portraits, landscapes, miniatures. He also designed many interiors of buildings in Cairo. His creatures are almost Burtonesque and whimsical yet this does not diminish their relatability and attractiveness. The artist passed away in 1988.
(Biography provided by JM Art Management)
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Artist: Salah Abdel Kerim
"Nude Lady" Pencil on Paper 20" x 12" inch (1954) by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Nude Lady" Pencil on Paper 20" x 12" inch (1954) by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painter Hussein Bikar a...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Paper, Pencil

"Portrait d'un Modele" Painting 10" x 8" inch (1955) by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Portrait d'un Modele" Painting 10" x 8" inch (1955) by Salah Abdel Kerim Ink on paper 1955 Signed and numbered by the artist. Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and s...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Ink, Handmade Paper

"Portrait of Italian Woman" Pencil on Paper 20" x 12" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Portrait of Italian Woman" Pencil on Paper 20" x 12" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painter Hussei...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Paper, Pencil

"Meridian Hotel Mural" Watercolor on Paper 20" x 22" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Meridian Hotel Mural" Watercolor on Paper 20" x 22" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painter Hussein...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Macbeth Stagecraft II" Pastel on Paper 10" x 12" in by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Macbeth Stagecraft II" Pastel on Paper 10" x 12" in by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painter Hussein Bika...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Watercolor, Cardboard

"Sculpture Dessin" Drawing 12" x 8" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Sculpture Dessin" Drawing 12" x 8" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim Ink on paper circa 1980 Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painte...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Ink, Handmade Paper

"Madrid" Abstract Painting Watercolor on Paper 10" x 6" in by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Madrid" Abstract Painting Watercolor on Paper 10" x 6" in by Salah Abdel Kerim signed & dated Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

"Macbeth Stagecraft I" Watercolor on cartoon 10" x 14" in by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Macbeth Stagecraft I" Watercolor on cartoon 10" x 14" in by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painter Hussein...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Cardboard, Watercolor

"Macbeth Stagecraft III" Watercolor on Paper 10" x 16" in by Salah Abdel Kerim
By Salah Abdel Kerim
Located in Culver City, CA
"Macbeth Stagecraft III" Watercolor on Paper 10" x 16" in by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the famous painter Hussein...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Salah Abdel Kerim Art

Materials

Watercolor, Cardboard

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Previously Available Items
"The waiter II" Watercolor Painting 18" x 14" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim
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"The waiter II" Watercolor Painting 18" x 14" inch by Salah Abdel Kerim Born in Fayoum to a big family of 5 brothers and sisters. In 1938 he meets the fam...
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Salah Abdel Kerim art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Salah Abdel Kerim art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Salah Abdel Kerim in paint, paper, watercolour and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Salah Abdel Kerim art, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Salah Abdel Kerim art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £4,156 and tops out at £6,730, while the average work can sell for £4,691.

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