1917 – 1977
Biography
Gamal El-Sagini was an Egyptian sculptor, painter and medalist, born in Cairo on 7 January 1917.
He studied sculpture at the Higher School of Fine Arts in Cairo, graduating in 1938, and later went to Paris at his own expense to pursue higher studies. In 1947 he earned a scholarship to Rome, where he received a diploma in Sculpture and Medal Arts in 1950.
El-Sagini was a member of the Third Generation of Egyptian artists, who rebelled against the conventional styles of their predecessors. He formed the group Sawt El Fanan, “the Artist’s Voice”, which brought together many young artists who believed in new artistic styles.
He introduced symbolism and expressionism to Egyptian sculpture. Together with his great talent, this earned him several prestigious awards: the Gold Medal at the 1957 International Moscow Exhibition and another at the International Brussels Exhibition. In 1958 he won First Prize in the High Council for the Support of Arts and Literature competition for a sculpture of the poet Ahmad Shawky. The bronze statue stands in the Borghese Gardens in Rome; another was erected in the Horreya Garden in Gezira, Cairo.
A multi-talented artist, El-Sagini expressed himself in many media: hammered copper, sculpture, painting, ceramics and medals. His works were shown in many exhibitions in Egypt and abroad, and he received numerous prizes in recognition of his achievements.
In 1977 he travelled to Spain for a comprehensive exhibition of his work organised by the Egyptian General Organisation for Information. He passed away in Barcelona on 17 November 1977.
