Contemporary Egyptian Visual Artist, & Art Conservator
Mixed media artworks
Hossam El-Kady’s multidisciplinary artistic practice is distinguished by its extensive experimentation and considerable diversity. Mixed-media work relies fundamentally on the physical and chemical cohesion of different materials, as well as on the visual harmony that unifies disparate elements into a coherent and complete artistic composition. Such practice requires advanced expertise in pigments, coloring media, the properties of the chosen painting support, preparation techniques including sizing, and broader considerations related to material life-cycle behavior.
Combining industrial paints and coatings, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and epoxy (polyepoxides), with traditional oil or acrylic paints or other pigments can lead to problems with curing, inconsistency, and final layer failure. Different paints and coatings rely on different chemical compositions and solvents, and chemical incompatibility between them can cause undesirable results.
A thorough understanding of the characteristics of dyes and pigments, the aging behavior of various paint systems (oil, acrylic, gouache, and others), and the risks associated with cleaning or restorative interventions is essential for anticipating how mixed-media layers will respond when applied to different supports such as paper, canvas, metal, wood, or recycled materials. This knowledge is also critical for determining the appropriate procedures before surface modification or conservation treatments.
These methods align closely with El-Kady’s artistic approach, particularly his commitment to sustainable practices and experimental techniques.
The Universe
Artwork by Hossam ElKady, titled "The Universe". A triptych (collection of three panels) created in Cairo in 2009.
The artwork is a contemporary piece of mixed media on wood, with each of the three vertical panels measuring 63×21 cm. The total width of the collection is approximately 63 cm. The composition is highly textural and abstract, utilizing a vibrant contrast of colors to evoke cosmic or geological imagery, aligning with its title, "The Universe".
The panels are dominated by deep, dark colors—blacks, blues, and dark greens—that frame the lower and upper sections, suggesting deep space or the depths of the earth. A powerful, horizontal band of intense red and pink cuts across the center of all three panels, creating a fiery focal point that draws the eye immediately. This central area appears turbulent and energetic, contrasting sharply with the cooler, darker regions.
ElKady employs a rich mixed media technique, combining various materials to build layers of complex texture. The surfaces are highly tactile, featuring areas that look smooth and liquid alongside others that appear rough, porous, or granular. This layering of different textures, colors, and visual details suggests an interplay of natural elements—fire, water, and earth—captured in a dynamic state of flux.
Title: The universe (3 Panels).
3 Panels Collection.
Mixed media on wood.
63×21 cm (for one Panel).
Cairo 2009.
The artwork exemplifies ElKady's style of expressive abstraction. The execution is spontaneous and gestural, conveying deep emotion and energy. The use of multiple panels enhances the sense of scale and movement, inviting the viewer to visually traverse the landscape of this imagined universe. The mood is dramatic and evocative, capturing a powerful sense of universal forces at work.
Art and Motherhood
"Art and Motherhood" painting depicts an abstract female figure, standing in the center of the frame, with a slight tilt of the head, suggesting contemplation or inner tenderness. El-Kady's use of partial abstraction in the human form highlights the symbolic dimensions of motherhood rather than realistic representation, with anatomical details fading away—a technique that lends the painting a philosophical dimension.
The painting offers a symbolic interpretation of motherhood, where the figure is abstracted to become a symbol of the feminine entity that nurtures life and spirit. The contrast of colors, lines, and textures creates a dialogue between spirit and body, between tenderness and effort, between stability and inner tension. The painting embodies, in a contemporary style, motherhood not only as a social role but also as an existential and philosophical value, combining individual human experience with universal symbolism.
​Title: Art and Motherhood.
Technique and materials:
Mixed media on paper.
185 × 94 cm.
Cairo 2006.
The artist's private collection.
Photos by Hossam El-Kady at his studio, 2007.
Together
The painting "Together" is a prime example of Hossam El-Kady's expressive sculptural style and is part of his "You and I" series, which delves into the depths of duality to explore intimacy and human connection.
In this artwork, two figures are depicted embracing tightly, constructed using a striking impasto technique that lends them a powerful physical presence.
El-Kady employs a dramatic color contrast between the dark blue background and the two bright white figures, with a fiery red base symbolizing passion or a strong foundation. The vertical composition enhances the sense of containment and emotional intensity, while the luminous blue disc above them suggests cosmic protection or a shared destiny. "Together" is a visual psychological study that explores themes of partnership, unity, and shared identity in a powerful and evocative abstract artistic language.​​
Title: Together
You and I Collection
Technique and materials:
Acrylic on wood.
115×50.5cm.
Cairo 2005.
Private collection, Germany.​
Notes for Curators/Collectors
All artworks are fully documented and available for viewing by interested art collectors or museums. For inquiries regarding availability or future exhibitions. Please contact via email.