photographs by Amr Mounib
March 25 – April 22, 2016
Amr Mounib transformed flowers in simple Egyptian gardens into large-scale images blossoming with the hope and resilience of the Egyptian people. The artist donated proceeds from this exhibition to Egyptian and Palestinian children’s charities.
“Growing up in a garden of flowers … literally, as a child I was fascinated, taken by its diversity in shape and color, and feasted my eyes and never ignored….
As a photographer I always carried my camera with me and always on the lookout for flowers. No matter what assignments I had I always noticed the flower everywhere.
This collection is mostly captured in Egypt as I stumbled and came across them in yards, streets, farmer’s fields and even wild flowers making their way up through cracks of sidewalks. Always stopping, observing and capturing, when I can.
The flower with its diversity in shape and color, its resilience and perseverance has come to symbolize for me the people of Cairo and the true Arab Spring.”
Photographer Amr Mounib talks about his exhibition, Eye of the Blossom
Meet the Artist
Amr Mounib, Photographer
Amr Mounib is a photographer whose work ranges from photojournalism to fashion. His primary interest lies in the interaction of light with subject matter, his primary focus, the spatial relationship between man-made and natural objects. Mounib uses juxtaposition to create a language of shapes and movement, contrasting the fluid nature of natural forms with the geometry of man-made objects, and defining space with light and shadow.
His compositions challenge the viewer to discover with him that light, growth, physics, change the nature of an object moment by moment, and that a moment never repeats. This sense of movement lends a sense of drama even to Mounib’s still life studies. As one longtime friend notes, “in Amr’s work, there’s always a hint of something happening.”
Amr served in the U.S. Navy, both in the active and reserve forces. He earned a degree in Communications and Visual Media from The American University, Washington, D.C., where he won several awards for his work in photography and film.
Roots
Mounib’s family has deep roots in theatre and television that extend back to the first silent films produced in Egypt by his grandfather, Fawzi Mounib. His grandmother, Mary Mounib, was named Egypt’s “Empress of Comedy” for her film and theater work. His father was a television producer and host of several interview and game programs.
Exhibitions:
- March 25th, 2016 – 2016: Jerusalem Fund Gallery Exhibition – Washington D.C
- 2014 BBC World Interview – Egypt Today: Memories of Mounib
- 2013 Jerusalem Fund Gallery Exhibition – Washington D.C.
- BBC World Interview – English, Arabic
- 2013 SYRA Art Gallery Photography Exhibition – Washington D.C.
- 2011 Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- 2010 Babylon Central – Acted the part of Prince Wahleed in the debut cinematic release from ESL Music, written and directed by Eric Hilton from Thievery Corporation.
- 2009 Cairo Atelier “Kairopraxis” – “If Egypt” Exhibition
- 2008-2009 International Photography Awards – Honorable mention for ‘Enigma’ in the category of Fine Art.
- 2008-2009 SEEDS of PEACE – Egypt part of jury panel for Seeds of Peace annual art contest, children ages 12-15. Art theme was based on; Tolerance, Empathy, Acceptance, Patience, and Coexistence.
- 2007 Coptic Orphans of Egypt
- 2006 “Organic or Not…” Exhibition – Arlington, VA
- 2005 Washington Corporate Arts Program
- 2001 Cancer Society – Virginia
