“From the very beginning the idea was to develop a concept based on two pillars,” says Wells. “Firstly, a platform for young artists in Egypt, and secondly a forum to work with the community in which we live.”
This year the exhibition that ran from late May to June, named ‘Invisible Publics’, was one of Townhouse’s most successful. It focused on how people relate to, and interact with, art, with exhibits by artists such as Dora Garcia (who explored the relationship between the audience, the artwork and the setting), Johan Svensson (who used old televisions and imagery to reference historical figures and events), the creators of Bidoun Video 2010 (an audio-visual display highlighting social issues and the use of video art within the Middle East), Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Aram Moshayedi, and the duo of Özge Ersoy and Sohrab Mohebbi.
The blend of international artists and local, emerging figures created an intriguing mix, aligning both Middle Eastern and European talents within a single viewpoint. In recent years many of those exhibiting at Townhouse have gone on to regional and international acclaim, and the hopes are high for those who exhibited during 2010.
Besides the frequent exhibitions, Townhouse runs a number of community projects, including the offering of low-cost workspaces for artists, community outreach programs, training in art appreciation, a residential program and a library and archive dedicated to preserving and highlighting art; through all these initiatives, the impression that the population of Cairo lies at the forefront of Townhouse’s plans is ever present. It is precisely this local connection in addition to a genuinely thought-provoking exhibition in the shape of ‘Invisible Publics’ that led our panel to nominate Townhouse Gallery for the Escape Award in this year’s Ultimates.
WHAT Townhouse Gallery and its ‘Invisible Publics’ exhibition
WHO Founded in 1998 by Candian William Wells
WHERE Nabrawy Street, Downtown Cairo, Egypt
WHY A much-needed resource for Cairo residents and an inspiring opportunity for aspiring artists
www.thetownhousegallery.com
