Lina Osama (b. 1986, Cairo) is a figurative painter based in Cairo. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Zamalek and studied at the Salzburg Academy of Fine Arts in Austria from 2006-2009. She has shown her work in many solo shows in Cairo as well as participated in many international group shows, from Paris to Venezuela to Taiwan.
Osama’s canvases collage imagery from ancient, modern, and contemporary Cairo, synthesized in vibrant jewel tones of ruby, emerald, sapphire, and gold. Osama employs a feminist approach, centering femininity, womanhood, and motherhood in the paintings. Echoing the Coptic Fayum portraits, the women have enlarged and stylized eyes. Instead of simply being looked upon, the oversized eyes powerfully return the viewer’s gaze. Like the Eye of Horus and the Hand of Fatima, the eyes represent the women’s status as protectors of the city and her inhabitants.
Osama’s paintings search for truth through beautiful irrationality. The viewer does not look into a window upon another world. Rather, the imagery swirls like a dream. Scattered about the canvases are symbolic images, like the Maspiro building, floral clippings, modern coins, and prints made with household lace. As such, while they evoke a feeling and a place, they are open to individual interpretation and contemplation.
An internationally acclaimed Egyptian painter and multidisciplinary artist, she has won the first painting prize from Zamalek Art Gallery at Young Artists Saloon in Fine Art Lovers Assoc. (2014), drawing prize from the annual Cairo Youth Saloon (2007) in addition to artist residencies to Siwa oasis from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture 2009/2018, ALDAU International Artist Residency 2021. Lina Osama is the founder and curator of Living Units Visual Art Initiative for touring exhibitions against racism in Egypt, Vienna, Romania and Morocco 2016-2019. After studying Egyptology for two years at the Higher Authorities of Antiquity, Filmmaking for a year at Jesuit Cairo Culture Center as well as experimenting with illustration, animation and installations, today Osama’s art has been exhibited worldwide in more than 130 exhibitions, art fairs and biennials represented by prestigious galleries/associations including Gmundten 422 Gallery in Austria, Made In., Gallery in Venice, Go Art Projects in Bucharest, SoHo Gallery in Sweden, Sharjah Gallery in AUC, Picasso East Art Gallery, T.A.M., Picasso Gallery, Azad, Nile Art Gallery, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Mahmoud Said Museum complex and most recently World Art Dubai 2020, EMAAR Art Town Art Fair 2020/2021, Egypt International Art Fair 2020/2021, Venezuela Biennial 2021-2022, The 43 rd annual General Exhibition 2022 and Art D’Egypte 2022,2023.. Lina Osama has held 15 solo-exhibitions including Lady of Cairo at the renowned Picasso Art Gallery 10/2023, a solo exhibition in the Egyptian Museum of Modern Art Albab Selim Gallery 2022, Time Travellers at Picasso East Gallery and a solo show at the Irish Embassy in Cairo 2020 where she was awarded Egyptian Women Achievers prize on St. Bridget’s Day. Lina Osama’s paintings are included in prominent official and private collections such as the Amazigh Heritage Museum in Morocco, Minia University Museum, Heliopolis International University, Egypt Embassy in Vienna, Irish Embassy in Cairo, Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
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