Chant Avedissian (Egypt, 1951-2018)Icons of Arabia gouache, acrylic, and hand coloured stencil on cardboard, ten panelseach panel is signed, dated and located, executed between 2011-2014each panel: 69 x 49cmFootnotes:Provenance:Property from the Rose Issa collection'In between Paris and Cairo I stopped doing any handwork, any painting. And I never wanted to do painting, but I discovered that people put photos of people on the wall- football players, movie stars- and I thought to do the stencils, but I didn't know what was going to happen, that it was going to go on for so long. I did two or three stencils at the beginning and that was it. And then it went on and on and on and it became like a drug; you can't stop. In the beginning it was my childhood memories, and then little by little I was shocked by what I discovered in newspapers, I mean the mise en scène that was there. Mise en scène means how a photo is directed; how an image is not true. Neither the people stand like that nor look like that; everything was artificial. The images said things about liberty and happiness and sports, but the photos were composed, for propaganda, so it was very amazing to do this work' – Chant AvadessianWhilst studying in Canada and France, first at Fine Arts in Montreal, then at Ecole Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, where he investigated printmaking and silkscreen techniques, Avedissian came to the conclusion that Western academia and its rigidity was not a system within which he could recognise himself. This disillusion resulted in a return to his homeland, where he merged techniques learnt in the West with his strongly rooted Egyptian heritage.He gradually integrated knowledge gained from his formal studies in Canada and France with personal research into legendary Pharaonic iconography, geometric Islamic architecture, floral patterns of Ottoman textiles, and popular 20th century imagery of icons from the Arab world. Avedissian first started his stencils series during the Gulf War in 1991. The series was catalysed by the overwhelming media coverage of the political situation, which consumed him with feelings of hopelessness and despair, resulting in a collection of faces, places and symbols from his past.In his stunning stencilled works, Avedissian fuses symbols taken from Ancient Egypt such as hieroglyphics and dynastic monuments, with pictures of national heroes, admired politicians, popular singers and actors. These pictures are based on media imagery from Gamel Abdel Nasser's rule (1956-1970), a decade that witnessed a socio-cultural reawakening permeated with a vigorous wave of Arab nationalism. Avedissian's concern for the disappearance of Egypt's rich heritage at the outbreak of the first Gulf War motivated him to explore topics such as; memory, history, imagery and self-representation in Egyptian culture. This shift in focus was a defining moment in his career as a contemporary artist, which had previously concentrated on photography and hand-dyed and sewn textile panels.In Avedissian's Icons of the Niles series, he creates a grandiose mosaic of Egyptian cultural history retracing his country's past, combining nostalgic imagery with a celebration of Egyptian iconographical motifs. Within this work, the artist avoids the use of oil on canvas. Instead, he blends his own pigments and uses a delicate stencil technique to transfer the image onto card or locally produced paper. The stencil technique requires a simplification of line and colour, and thus becomes similar to the hieroglyphic model of symbols. By means of repeating and layering images, Avedissian saturates his works with various suggestions and connotations, eloquently drawing our attention to the many faces of modern Egyptian society and Cairo's visual landscape. Each stencilled panel embodies a variety of influences and themes, creating vivid organic patterns. His process of creation skilfully combines the use of local pigments, gum arabic, and hand-coloured textiles; the conclusion is presented as a powerful vehicle for the artist's personal memories and experiences. Avedissian's work, unique in its approach and execution, repeatedly compares and contrasts the West and the Middle East, art and propaganda, and tradition and modernity. Throughout this work, he conveys his admiration and appreciation for opulently iconic Egyptian imagery, coupled with the remnants of his country's magnificent historical past with an honest and profound sincerity. His iconoclastic images commemorate the country that nourished his creative soul.Figures depicted:Taha HusseinTaha Hussein, one of Egypt's most influential writers and intellectuals of the 20th century, is known as the 'Dean of Arabic Literature.' Despite losing his sight at a young age, his prolific works challenged the status quo, advocating for education, enlightenment, and social reform across the Arab world.Faten HamamaFaten Hamama, often hailed as the 'Lady of the Arab Screen,' was an Egyptian actress whose career spanned over six decades. Known for her elegance, talent, and versatility, she became a beloved icon of Egyptian cinema, starring in some of the most influential films of her era.AsmahanAsmahan, the Syrian-Egyptian singer and actress, captivated audiences with her haunting voice and enigmatic presence. Born into royalty, her life was a mix of glamour and tragedy, and her contributions to Arab music remain unparalleled despite her untimely death.FaridFarid al-Atrash, a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, and actor, is one of the most celebrated figures in Arab music. Known as the 'King of Oud,' Farid's distinctive voice and emotive compositions left an indelible mark on the golden age of Egyptian cinema and music.Nazem Al GhazaliNazem Al Ghazali, the legendary Iraqi singer, is remembered for his unique style and contribution to Arabic maqam music. His soulful voice and timeless songs, such as 'Fog El Nakhal,' made him an icon of Iraqi and Arab music, influencing generations of artists.King FaroukKing Farouk, the last reigning monarch of Egypt, ascended to the throne in 1936 at the age of 16. His reign was marked by extravagance and political instability, ultimately leading to his abdication in 1952 during the Egyptian revolution. He remains a symbol of Egypt's royal past.Nezar KabbaniNizar Kabbani, a renowned Syrian poet and diplomat, is considered one of the most influential modern Arab poets. His poetry, rich with themes of love, politics, and feminism, resonated with readers across the Arab world and beyond, solidifying his status as a literary icon.Gamal Abdel NasserGamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's charismatic leader and the face of Arab nationalism, became the country's second president in 1956. Known for his role in overthrowing the monarchy, his policies of pan-Arabism and socialism left an enduring impact on the Middle East.FawziyaFawziya, Queen of Iran and Princess of Egypt, was a royal figure who embodied elegance and diplomacy. Her marriage to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, made her a symbol of cross-cultural ties between Egypt and Iran, though her life was marked by public and personal challenges.YolandaYolanda Gigliotti, better known by her stage name Dalida, was a French-Italian-Egyptian singer and actress whose career spanned over three decades. Her multilingual repertoire and captivating performances made her an international star, beloved across Europe and the Arab world.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com