Chant Avedissian, 1951-2018, born Egypt Search this
Medium:
Mixed media on corrugated cardboard, cloth
Dimensions:
H x W: 247 x 150 cm (97 1/4 x 59 1/16 in.)
Type:
Painting
Geography:
Egypt
Date:
ca. 1994
Label Text:
Avedissian portrays Om Kalsoum, Egypt's famous diva and supporter of Nasser's government, as the actress Kowkab el Sharq (star of the East) holding her legendary handkerchief and as Sitt el Kol (the lady amongst us all) wearing her trademark sunglasses. One can presume that the couple in the car is listening to one of Kalsoum's love songs. The script below means "travel and see" and refers to Kalsoum's travels all over the Arab world to spread Nasser's message of Arab unity.
The images of women and men repeated over and over again refer to her followers. The crescent moon and star pattern stenciled on the narrow borders are found on many contemporary Islamic flags.
Exhibition History:
Heroes: Principles of African Greatness, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 16, 2019–October 3, 2021
A Brave New World, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., August 10, 2010-November 27, 2011
Chant Avedissian: A Contemporary Artist of Egypt, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2000-February 19, 2001
Published References:
Hornbeck, S.E. 2013 Intersection Conservation Approaches to Ethnographic and Contemporary Art: Ephermeral Art at the National Museum of African Art. AIC Objects Specialty Group Postprings, vol 20, pp 213.
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Credit Line:
Purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program