Egyptian photographer sees China her way
At the palace-like Gezira Art Center in downtown Cairo, an Egyptian photographer tells vivid stories about the everyday lives of Chinese people and depicts famous Chinese landmarks and landscapes through the Tales from China photo exhibition.
With decorative red lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the exhibition hall, red paper-cuttings of fish and the Chinese word “happiness” on the walls and traditional Chinese music playing in the background, the exhibition by Sara Fouad presents a unique pictorial vision of Beijing and Shandong province.
The exhibition, presented under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture from Sept 13 to 27, reflects Chinese culture and civilization as seen through Egyptian eyes.
“The exhibition hall has separate corners, and I made each corner tell a separate tale from China. A tale can consist of one, two or three photos out of total 44 photos in the exhibition,” Fouad told Xinhua News Agency.
The photos were taken by Fouad during a two-week visit to Beijing and Shandong in 2014, supported by the Chinese Cultural Center in Cairo.
Fouad, who holds a bachelor of arts degree from Middlesex University of London and is also a member of several photography associations in Egypt, Britain and the United States, said that her photos of the Chinese people were inspired by the kindness, hospitality and warm assistance she received from them during her short stay in China.
“The Chinese people are so kind and friendly,” she said. “Even though I don’t speak Chinese, they were always helpful. A female hotel worker even put a gift in my room before I left China.”
The largest photo at the center of the exhibition is an overview of a Chinese woman in traditional garments holding a red umbrella with embroidered white flowers.
Other photos show a newly married couple, common Chinese people on the streets and in marketplaces, a chef grilling seafood outside a restaurant, the cliff-lined road on the way to the Great Wall, a bird’s-eye view from a cable car and many others.
Mohamed Hadad, an architect who likes visiting art exhibitions, was impressed by the photos. He carefully studied nearly every one on display, while pausing at some and reading the captions.
“This photography exhibition introduces different details about China,” he said. “The exhibition lets me know more about China from the inside. Each photo speaks for itself. I am impressed that the Chinese people have preserved their culture, habits and traditions. They are not so much affected by globalization as others.”
Another visitor, Amira Nour, a photographer for a magazine belonging to Egypt’s largest state-run media foundation, Al-Ahram, said she herself had presented an exhibition on China after a visit she made in 2013.
“I found that Tales from China is so different in terms of the neat layout and method of display that take a visitor from one corner to another as if from one tale to another, moving from social life, habits and traditions to temples and architecture,” she said.
Besides people, the exhibition also displays many photos of unique Chinese landmarks, famous structures and tourist attractions.
Chinese Cultural Counselor to Egypt Shi Yuewen, who attended the opening ceremony of Tales from China, praised the photos, saying Fouad captured her perspective as an Egyptian and a woman.
“The exhibition enhances the Egyptian people’s understanding of modern China, which is vitally important to deepen the friendship between the two peoples,” Shi said.