Who we are

Cairo Gallery is an art space established in 2024 in Zamalek, Cairo, by artist and curator Mahmoud Hamdi. The gallery aims to present a new model for showcasing art within the local scene while addressing the challenges of balancing art marketing with preserving the artist's independence. It seeks to transcend traditional boundaries imposed by institutional norms that have shaped the art scene's history.

The gallery aspires to be a space for negotiation, combining the artistic freedom offered by non-profit institutions with the ability to engage with the art market—both locally and internationally—without compromising the artistic value of the work. From this perspective, the gallery provides an innovative, intellectual, and productive environment to support emerging artists and recent graduates, focusing on professional guidance through workshops, master classes, solo, and group exhibitions. The goal is to create a flexible space that allows artists to develop their skills and expand the horizons of their practices.

Why Cairo Gallery in Zamalek?

The choice of Zamalek as the location for Cairo Gallery was not random. The area boasts a long history that reflects Cairo's socio-economic transformations. It is also a cultural and artistic hub, hosting numerous galleries, cultural centers, and museums.

Recently, Zamalek has undergone significant development, especially following the establishment of a metro line that improved infrastructure and expanded public interaction with cultural activities. Additionally, the presence of prestigious art colleges, such as the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Art Education, enhances the gallery's standing, creating an ideal environment for connecting with emerging artists and an audience passionate about art.

Our Vision

Our vision is to present an artistic model that transcends traditional boundaries, fostering creativity and diversity within the local art scene. The gallery focuses on creating a supportive environment for artists across their career paths, targeting three primary groups:

1-Emerging Artists: To launch their careers.

2-Self-Taught Artists: To introduce fresh perspectives in creativity.

3-Established Artists: To provide a flexible space outside traditional constraints.

Emerging Artists
The gallery pays special attention to emerging artists who have not yet been categorized within traditional artistic contexts. Cairo Gallery believes these artists hold immense potential to shape the future of art and strives to provide a space that encourages them to innovate and showcase unrestricted artistic experimentation.

Self-Taught Artists
The gallery also focuses on self-taught artists who have transitioned into art through personal experience or self-education. These artists offer unique and unconventional perspectives, making them integral to the history and future of the local art scene.

Established Artists
For artists who have achieved notable success in their careers but feel constrained by various institutional frameworks, the gallery offers a flexible space that aligns with their artistic vision without imposing institutional constraints.

Beyond merely exhibiting artworks, Cairo Gallery aims to establish a mature and sustainable art project rooted in serious artistic research, continuous practice, and consistent marketing. The artist-gallery partnership extends beyond exhibition to include collaboration in building artistic projects that reflect the artist's vision. Through this, Cairo Gallery aspires to create an open artistic environment that supports artists from all backgrounds and practices, breaking away from the historical constraints of the art market and traditional institutions.

Challenges & Future Vision

At Cairo Gallery, we recognize the challenges faced by the traditional art market, such as competitiveness and limitations in exhibition and marketing. We aim to overcome these challenges by fostering innovation in producing and showcasing artworks, expanding collaboration with local and international institutions, and developing new methods to support art acquisition that caters to diverse groups.

Our future vision is to become a leading platform that supports artistic creativity in Egypt and the region by exploring new artistic spaces, enhancing cultural dialogue, and presenting artists from diverse backgrounds. We aspire to launch sustainable projects that reflect diversity and innovation, offering interactive art experiences that connect audiences, artists, and the market, thereby building a cohesive art community that celebrates creativity and inspires new generations of artists.

our programs

Art Exhibitions:

A creative experience that brings together emerging and established artists to explore contemporary art trends and present projects that have a lasting impact on the local art scene. The program supports cultural collaboration with local and international curators and art institutions.

Cairo Gallery Shop:

An innovative space for art acquisition, combining the sale of art books, editions, and small art pieces with events such as book signings and art publishing workshops. It aims to promote a culture of acquisition and support local artists.

Cairo Master Classes:

A comprehensive training program that develops artists’ skills in various art fields, including art writing, visual experimentation, and collaborative work. It offers opportunities to engage with local and international experts in an inspiring creative environment.

Cairo Mini Solo:

An annual solo exhibition program for emerging artists and graduates to develop and showcase their projects. Participants receive professional guidance, art tours, and workshops, with their works documented digitally for local and international promotion.

Artistic Support and Guidance:

Advisory sessions to enrich the art acquisition experience, providing guidance on selecting suitable works, understanding market trends, and evaluating quality. This supports new collectors and art enthusiasts.

Collaboration with Cultural Institutions:

Local and international partnerships that enhance the exchange of ideas and artistic practices, contributing to the expansion of projects and enriching the cultural scene.

Public Seminars and Discussions:

An interactive platform that addresses the challenges of contemporary art and the experiences of artists from Egypt and North Africa, fostering critical dialogue and building a vibrant, supportive art community.

The Cairo Gallery Founding Statement was written by artist and writer Ahmed Shawky Hassan on December 8, 2024.