Gamal El-Sagini

Born on January 7, 1917, in Bab El Shaaria, a poor suburb of Cairo, Egypt, El-Sagini discovered his passion for art at a very early age where he grew fond of the architectural nature of old Cairo such as domes, mosques and Islamic architecture which led him in 1934 to join the sculpture department at the First school of Fine Arts founded by prince Youssef Kamal.

El Sagini traveled to Paris at his own expense to pursue higher studies where he was greatly affected by English sculptor Henry Moore who was best known for his abstract technique and reclining figures.

El-Sagini reflected his thoughts of a better future for his country Egypt through his work and he summarized his reason in life through "The Will" (Hammered copper relief-33x28cm-1954) where he pictured himself – like in the times of pharaohs – in his grave surrounded by all the things he stood for and cherished during his lifetime such as love, hope, art and music.

On the headstone he wrote the following words that describe his life and what he stood for: Constantly concerned with his home country's issues, El-Sagini featured Egypt in most of his works expressing hope, encouragement, disappointment or just pure unconditional love.

As a result of the Six-Day War 1967 and the nationwide feeling of frustration and despair, El-Sagini often featured Egypt in his paintings of that period as a candy doll – a famous symbol in Egyptian carnivals– that is crippled, tortured or even hanged.

El Sagini in one of his exhibitions with his trade mark pipe
Gamal El-Sagini
A young Sagini standing beside his statue of a nude woman
A young and passionate Sagini standing beside one of his statues
A young Sagini standing beside his statue of a nude man
A Young Sagini (Right) during one of his First Exhibitions
A Copper Relief by Egyptian artist Gamal Sagini showing a tomb with different symbols around it
The Will
A bronze statue by Egyptian artist Gamal Sagini showing a mother breastfeeding her infants
Egypt My Mother Land
A bronze statue by Egyptian artist Gamal Sagini of a battle boat picturing Egypt 1973
The Great Crossing of The Suez Canal
A bronze statue by Egyptian artist Gamal Sagini showing a woman standing with her fist closed and her hand directed straight forward
El Sagini’s statue "Egypt The Future"
The River Nile as pictured by El-Sagini
"The Nile" by Gamal El-Sagini
El-Sagini sitting by the river Nile shore staring at the horizon
El-Sagini by the River Nile
El Sagini talking to his only son Magd 1959
El-Sagini with his only son Magd
El Sagini working on Abdel Halim Hafez statue
Gamal El-Sagini ZAG Poster 2010
El-Sagini's Statue of Egyptian Poet Ahmed Shawqi in Villa Borghese , Rome