An exhibition of photographs, paintings, collages, and poetry by Anglo-Egyptian artist Nadia Warner which was held at Gallery 54, Shepherd's Market, Mayfair, London W1 in April 2001.
 Ambassador Ali Muhsen Hamid, of the League of Arab States, opening the exhibition |
Nadia Warner was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1962. With her father a renowned Egyptian Islamic philosopher and her mother a Scottish feminist and Christian, marital conflicts would turn into a microcosm of conflict between East and West.
At the age of eight, she left Egypt to live in England. Within four years, she’d forgotten Arabic. She returned to Egypt before her teens but found that for the rest of her childhood she was either “the English girl” in Egypt, or “the Egyptian girl” in England. She says “Like all other kids I wanted to belong. But at that time - whichever country I was in - it always seemed to be at the cost of denying ‘the other’ part of myself”.
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In this Exhibition Nadia explores cultural identity. Why cultures love or fear each other. What happens when someone belongs to both - as is the case with many communities in London. Second generation Arabs, Asians or Africans often have to integrate global tensions on a personal level. “London has become a far richer place for the vitality brought in by African-Caribbean and Asian communities. Now you can’t imagine London without them. But the Arab community is a younger and more recent addition. At present it is less understood. What will that second generation fusion of cultures bring?” Nadia explores some of the tension and creativity resulting from the fusion of Anglo-Arab culture, through photographs and poetry. Her paintings and collages explore cultural shadows (what cultures deny of themselves and project onto others), personal and group dreams. |
Between Two Cultures |
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I long for the day, that women in hijabs and women in mini skirts, will walk side by side on the streets with men in suits and men in loin cloths, and each be accorded the same level of respect. I long for the day that a child of 6 will stand up in Parliament and her voice be heard and respected - that a man of 90 will enter new employment and be celebrated for the spirit he will bring. I long for the day, that every voice will be heard, not only when it has developed the power to shout above others, but when it first whispers - because all have developed the capacity to listen. I long for the day, that the silent whispers of the trees, the animals, the oceans and future generations will be heard, and be represented. I long for the day, and know that its seeds lie within this moment. |
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the artist, Nadia Warner. Nadia Warner's Gallery of her other pictures. |
 The Veils of Scheherazade |
Nadia uses photography as an extension of the paintbrush. Some scenes are created then photographed, others are photographed then chopped up and re-formed into surreal landscapes. Her mixed media sculptural collages combine photographic images with impasto media and paint.
“The combination of techniques lends itself to the subjects I’m exploring - how our perceptions influence and create the reality we experience. Our perceptions and our emotional experiences exist in a painted world, and what becomes manifest is reflected in photographic imagery.”
 The Edge |
 Veils of Perception |
The Edge 2 |
Click on any of the pictures to see a larger version
All pictures are copyright Nadia Warner and may not be used in any way whatsoever without her permission.
This project is kindly supported by The League of Arab States