A major highlight of Art Cairo was the "Egyptian Sarcophagi" series by Syrian contemporary artist Nizar Sabour, featuring paintings of iconic Egyptian figures such as singer Umm Kulthum and Nobel laureate novelist Naguib Mahfouz.

These elongated vertical portraits are inspired by Phoenician anthropoid sarcophagi and ancient Egyptian funerary traditions, with a halo of light circling each figure, reminiscent of sacred iconography.

Sabour stressed the importance of artistic gatherings in the Arab world, calling them a vital platform for exchanging expertise.

"We need such spaces for artistic communication, where artists can meet, interact, and assess their artworks. These gatherings not only enrich Arab art but also foster direct engagement between Arab artists," he said.

Xinhua