MOHAMED ABLA   

BORN: Mansoura, Egypt - 1953

Lives and works in Egypt

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Renowned Egyptian artist Mohammed Abla, winner of the 1998 Biennial, is a man of curious character and many faces. He has an intense desire for expressing feeling through his paintings.  As a young artist he traveled the world, almost detached from his native ties, reluctant to settle in one place.  Abla had to struggle his way through college by painting houses in order to make just enough money for his tuition and bare necessities.  Graduating at the top of his class in 1977, he took part in Egypt’s “Young Artists Exhibition,” winning the grand prize.  He traveled and painted through Spain and France experiencing firsthand the great museums of Europe.  With an enhanced competence in his abilities, Abla moved onto Germany where he once more toured the extensive galleries.  Finding one gallery owner, he showed his work and was transported to elation by the owner’s enthusiastic response. “He saw my sketches, loved them, bought them and asked if I would put on an exhibition.”  Six more exhibitions followed in the next 2 years.  Germany was definitely the turning point in his life and is fast becoming his second home.  Abla says that he has an internal feeling that art is the key to bringing cultural and environmental awareness to people.

 

BIOGRAPHY

1953       Born in Mansoura, Egypt

1972       Joined Faculty of fine Arts in Alexandria

1977       Graduated from the painting section with a first class degree

1978       First Exhibition in the Spanish Cultural Centre, Cairo.  Won first prize in the El Talaa young Egyptian artists exhibition.

               Traveled to Spain, France, and Germany for further study.

1979       Exhibited at the Hohmann Gallery in Germany

1980       Traveled to Eastern Europe and Turkey

1981       Had a further series of exhibitions in Germany. Visited Switzerland to learn sculpture, graphics and painting therapy.

1982       Opened a studio in Zurich for painting therapy.

1983       Returned to Egypt with his first child.

1984       Had further private exhibitions in Germany

1986       Won first prize in the competition entitled “Cairo from the Artist’s Perspective.”

               Awarded a scholarship to study in Basel, Switzerland.

1993       Had further private exhibitions in Germany

1994       Private Exhibitions in Switzerland

1998       Exhibited at Hart Gallery, Carmel California and then to Hart Gallery in Palm Desert, California.

2009       Continues exhibiting in Palm Desert, CA at Christian Hohmann Fine Art.