Fascinated with the various facets of self-representation, artist Kareem Helmy conjures an array of characters in his vibrant yet contemplative paintings that are as formal as they are beguiling. Nondescript backdrops pull the viewer of Helmy’s work into the persona and the mind of the figure featured prominently; it is then the viewer’s challenge to make sense of it all.

Born in Alexandria, Helmy studied painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Alexandria University. Following his graduation, Helmy started to work as a lecturer in that same department and soon after completed his PhD there in 2015. He had his first solo exhibition at Liviu Rebreanu Cultural Center in Romania, followed by shows at The Resonance Gallery in Bulgaria and many more. He won 1st place at Terracina for Arts and Culture and also participated in several international art events such as Mecklenburg Inspirer in Germany, EARP in Serbia.