Nine canvas tiles mounted on to a 24" x 24 wood panel

To explore the variety of patterns found in and around Cairo is to journey through Egypt’s rich history. So much of their ancient history contains patterns and styles that influenced, and continue to influence, the rest of the world. Much of their more recent history shows provides patterns of the rest of the world’s attempts to impact Egypt.

The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo highlights the pattern work from the Fatmids, Mamluks, Ottomans eras. The Mohamed Ali mosque may be the grandest remaining example of the Ottoman Empire’s time in Egypt, but the Manial Palace (located south of Zamelek in Cairo) is the best showcase for the opulence of the Ottoman period. Immediately upon entering the fortress walls, a pattern on the intricate ceiling art caught my eye.

Attempting to recreate this pattern was a geometric puzzle, one I failed many times until I honed in on the intersection of a perfect octagon and the base of a star. From there, surprisingly it became easy to figure out the rest.

Then, with the use of Arteza metallic paint pens, inspiration became realization.

Cairo