As the 2016 CARAVAN Exhibition of Art, THE KEY was a major East-West peacebuilding traveling art exhibition/installation that used the globally recognized ancient Egyptian symbol of the Ankh as the canvas for a contemporary message of hope for a harmonious, peaceful and tolerant world.
Showcasing the work of 40 premier and emerging Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Western contemporary visual artists, THE KEY focused on a modern three-dimensional fiberglass portrayal (1.20 meter in height) of the ancient 'Key of Life,' the Ankh, the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that read 'life', seen as the oldest known symbol of pluralism, tolerance and harmony. The exhibition addressed,'the key' to the East and West living in a peaceful and harmonious world. This artistic endeavor with the Ankh at its heart was a powerful means to unite people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.
THE KEY opened in Cairo, Egypt in March 2016, was then showcased in London, England and New York City, USA. Income from the sales of THE KEY went to an Egyptian charity providing creative learning opportunities for children among the poorest of the poor.
The 40 Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Western participating artists included women and men, and a diverse range, from renowned contemporary artists to emerging younger artists, employing different mediums, and coming from the different monotheistic faith backgrounds
CURATORS
ARTISTS
An author, art curator, social entrepreneur, and peacemaker, Paul G. Chandler has lived and worked extensively throughout the Middle East and North Africa in leadership roles within faith-based publishing, relief and development agencies and with the Anglican Communion. He has curated exhibitions in places like St. Paul’s Cathedral-London, Egypt’s Museum of Modern Art, Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Paul G. Chandler
Reda Abdel Rahman
Dr Reda Abdel Rahman is an Egyptian artist who lives and works in New York. He has enjoyed a prolific international career in the arts. He is also known for his vision of promoting artists and the Egyptian art scene. Dr Abdel Rahman's works have been widely exhibited around the world and are held in numerous collecitons. He has also received important residencies, such as at Mana Contemporary.
CURATORS
AHMED ABDEL FATTAH
AHMED AL BAHRANI
AHMED EL SHAER
AHMED SABER
AMAL NASR
ANAT RATZABI
ARABELLA DORMAN
ATEF AHMED
ELISABETH BOLZA
ENAS ABDEL MONAEM
ESMAT DAWESTASHY
FAROUK WAHBA
FATMA ABDEL RAHMAN
GUIRGUIS BEKHIT
HAZEM EL MESTIKAWY
ISAAC DANIEL
LINA ALATTAR
MAHER GUIRGUIS
MAHFOUZ BESTOWROUS
MAHMOOD SHUBBAR
MARJORIE GUYON
MOATAZ EL SAFTY
MOHAMED BANAWY
MOHAMED NEGM
NOHA DEYAB
NOURA SLIM
OMAR TOUSSOUN
OSAMA MAMDOUH
PETER W. GRAY
RAHAM MAHMOUD
REDA ABDEL RAHMAN
SALAH EL MELIGY
SALAH EL MUR
SALAH HAMMAD
SALLY EL ZEINY
SERGIO GOMEZ
SERWAN BARAN
SHIRINE OSSEIRAN
SUZAN SHOUKRY
YASMINE EL KHATEIB
Exhibition Catalog
ART WORKSHOPS
Participating artist, Shirine Osseiran, held art workshops with the children during the exhibition, where they explored the themes of The Key exhibition as well as color, history and symbols.
