Emad Shafiek Tawfiek Rezq, known as Emad Rizk, was born on April 29, 1968, in Al-Monoufia, Egypt. He earned his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Cairo in 1991, followed by a Master’s in 1996 and a PhD in Painting in 2000. He now serves as an assistant professor in the Painting Department at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo.
EMAD RIZK at a glance
- Born: April 29, 1968, Al-Monoufia, Egypt
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Known for: Landscapes and scenes of Egyptian popular life, such as markets and cafes
- Style/Medium: Impressionism; pastels, oils and acrylics
- Training: Fine Arts, Cairo: Bachelor’s (1991), Master’s (1996), PhD in Painting (2000)
- Career: Assistant professor of painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Cairo
- Exhibitions: 3rd Beijing Biennale (2008); “Ahwal” at Salah Taher Gallery, Cairo Opera House (2023)
- Collections: State collections including the Museum of Modern Art in China
Rizk is a master of landscapes and scenes of Egyptian popular life. His work bursts with movement, capturing bustling markets and crowded cafes. His artistic journey began with expressionism before evolving into a distinctive form of impressionism. The rural landscapes of his childhood, with their “open frames,” left a lasting impression on his artistic imagination.
He is deeply inspired by the great landscape painter J.M.W. Turner and also admires Van Gogh and Rembrandt. However, his style is uniquely his own, creating a festive atmosphere through his dynamic lines and vibrant use of pastels, oils, and acrylics. The critic Mohamed Morsi described him as the “King of Landscapes”, a title that reflects his powerful connection to Egyptian life.
“Emad Rizk… more than anything, what will deceive you about him is his extreme calm. But his calm is like the calm of the sea, hiding incredibly exciting worlds beneath it.” – Mohamed Morsi
His career includes numerous solo exhibitions in Egypt, such as at the Cairo Atelier in 1994 and 1998, and the Qortuba Gallery in 2005. He has also participated in international exhibitions, representing Egypt in Finland in 1999 and at the 3rd Beijing Biennale in 2008. His recent 2023 exhibition, “Ahwal” (Conditions), at the Salah Taher Gallery in the Cairo Opera House, explored the popular alleyways of Egypt.
A member of the Syndicate of Fine Artists and the Cairo Atelier, Rizk’s works are held in state collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in China, and in private collections worldwide. His paintings invite you to step into the heart of Egyptian life and feel its vibrant pulse. He is a storyteller of light, color, and the enduring spirit of his homeland.
Q: What are the defining themes and techniques of Emad Rizk’s art?
A: Emad Rizk is renowned for his vibrant, impressionistic landscapes and scenes of Egyptian popular life, particularly bustling markets and cafes. His style evolved from expressionism to a unique form of impressionism, characterized by dynamic lines, a festive atmosphere, and a masterful use of pastels, oils, and acrylics. His work captures the energy and spirit of his subjects, a skill that led critic Mohamed Morsi to call him the “King of Landscapes”.