Description:
‘Nile Flowers and Papyrus’ by Mahrous Abdou (born 1964), tapestry, hand-dyed wool with cotton warp, made in Egypt at the Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Center, 2009.

Commentary:
The artist, Mahrous Abdou, works at the Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Center, near Giza, Egypt, set up in the 1950s by a prominent Egyptian architect. With its stunning design, the ‘Nile flowers and Papyrus’ tapestry can be seen in the Egypt Gallery at the end of the ‘Nile Corridor’ which divides the gallery into the main thematic displays relating to Life and Death. The work complements the ancient Egyptian material, including Coptic weaving, as well as boosting a growing collection of contemporary Egyptian craft.

At present it is not seen to best advantage, pending installation of new lighting.

Presented to Bristol’s City Museum & Art Gallery by the Ramses Wissa Wassef Exhibition Trust. Mounting and framing kindly sponsored by the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery at a cost of £1,222.

(Updated 25 June 2010)