THE SCHAWERMA MAN

Cairo in the Time of Covid

The genesis of my "Views of Cairo" collection can be traced back to a captivating scene: a scharwerma man cooking amidst the bustling streets, shielded by protective plastic. His left hand is encased in a glove, while his right remains bare, a mask nonchalantly hanging from his left ear. Behind him, his sous-chefs mirror his attire, the woman with a lone glove on her right hand and the man's mask hanging askew. This tableau, a testament to Cairo's resilience, embodies the city's spirit as its people, in their distinctive Cairene fashion, defiantly kept the nation afloat amid a menacing plague. The vibrant hues that adorn this piece, reminiscent of Van Gogh's evocative nightscapes, particularly "The Cafe Terrace at Night," add a layer of depth and emotion. To bring this vision to life, I repurposed a canvas with a blend of collage and acrylic inks for the backdrop, while the painting itself took form through the use of acrylics.