more...

---

Color Games

A journey on the red sea guides to another journey to the inside of my mind. There I meet the memories of my childhood and youth. Lots of pictures mix in my transcendent status. Time and place dissolve. I am located at a place in the south of Egypt, it s the village of my father. There I sit in a circle of old men, who tell stories legendary pharaohs, on generosity and hospitality, on wise men and saints, whose birthdays are celebrated with mythical tales, chants and dances. Memories of the Thursday market, on the edge of desert, scents and sounds, camels and arguing traders. Suddenly the voice of the sweets seller appears from far away and mingles with the sound of the sea – memories of the happy flying kite at the beach of Alexandria. In September 2001 I began to paint a series of portrayals in bright and radiant colors to arouse my childhood dreams in present. Without requirements and complicationsI let the colors and ideas play. The memories, expressions and emotions had an immense intensity and power. It originated a series of about 50 pictures in the consistent format of 70x 110 cm. The paintings form up almost by themselves – an ice bearn goes for a walk in the glowing desert, a hawk dances with its baby, a tree with golden fruits, a fish rides on a tap, a pregnant cow eats from sunbeams, a donkey with a pink bell jar, a butterfly plays with the ibis, mice babies suckle at the cat mother, date palms, minarets and church steeples.