American University in Cairo
New Cairo Campus, Abdul Latif Jameel Hall, Plaza Level, Tel 02 2615 3318
The Photographic Gallery
“Beyond the Blur: Sudan in Focus”, a solo exhibition by award-winning photographer Sari Omer. He is a Sudanese documentary photographer and humanitarian currently based in Cairo. This exhibition marks the conclusion of the gallery’s series of photographic shows highlighting contemporary visual media from global conflict zones. As Sudan continues to endure the devastating impacts of civil war, much of the country’s reality has remained underrepresented in international media. Omer’s position at the forefront of the humanitarian efforts across the country has afforded him a rare opportunity to provide a firsthand account of the nation’s reality. Through his lens, he captured the unfolding crisis and documented the profound resilience of the Sudanese people caught in the crossfire of war.
The exhibition presents an intimate portrait of Sudan’s recent years, featuring never-before-seen photographs ranging from the historic Khartoum uprisings in 2018 to the current humanitarian crisis, offering a rare look at everyday life in displacement camps in Darfur. Through experimental photo collages, Omer weaves together poetic visual narratives that convey the complexity of living on the margins of conflict. Images on show stand as a powerful tribute to the people of Sudan—a testament to their suffering, courage, and enduring spirit (5- 26 February).
Cairo Opera Complex
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Zamalek
Salah Taher gallery
Tel 02 2739 0132/014
“Postponed Dreams” photography exhibition by engineer Ahmed Hussein (closing 31 January).
Difaf
37 Mohamed Mazhar, Zamalek, Tel 0102 7365252
“Scent of Light” exhibition by Sabah Naim. Naim’s visions move to the rhythms of Sufism–rising and falling, transforming and evolving. Through these rituals, she draws us into the heart of her world, far from reality, taking us by the hand into an alternate realm of her own making (31 January- 31 March).
Duroub
27 Hassan Assem, Zamalek, Tel 010 33552422/ 0100 4252768
“Echoes of Silence” exhibition of painting by Mona Fathy
(25 January - 12 February).
The Egyptian Museum
Tahrir Sq, Sadat Station, Tel 02 2578 2452
First Floor, Hall 13
“Soknopaiou Nesos – The Temple of Sobek and Isis Nepherses” the exhibition highlights more than two decades of excavations at Soknopaiou Nesos, held by the University of Salento (Italy), focusing on the sacred precinct of the temple of Soknopaios, a crocodile-like god with a falcon’s head. Visitors will discover how the temple functioned through a selection of artifacts that reveal aspects of religion, rituals, festivals, and priestly life. Newly excavated objects are displayed alongside pieces from the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (closing 30 January).
First Floor, Hall 7
“Nefertari: In the Domain of the Beautiful of the Beautiful Ones” a temporary exhibition dedicated to Nefertari, the Queen hailed as 'The Most Beautiful of the Beautiful Ones'. Organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Italian Archaeological Centre, and the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC-CAI), the exhibition is an exceptional visual journey. Do not miss the opportunity to witness Queen Nefertari’s eternal elegance, as she recounts her captivating story in a temporary exhibition pulsating with magic and history, prepared by archaeological photography expert Francis Amin
(closing 28 February).
French Cultural Institute
Madrasset Al-Huquq Al Frinseya St, Mounira, Tel 02 2791 5800
The French Institute in Egypt – Mounira is hosting an exhibition featuring the works of six artists who recently returned from artistic residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris (2025). Conceived by artist Ibrahim Bahaa El Din, the exhibition offers an interpretation of the artistic residency as an experience of passage, listening, and transformation, through visual works, performances, and discussion spaces (30 January- mid February).
Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art
15 Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Downtown, Cairo, Tel 02 2578 4494, open daily from 11am to 8pm except Fridays
“Magnificent Creatures” exhibition by Marawan El-Gamal.
El-Gamal’s Magnificent Creatures, is oil on canvas, work that imagines radiant invincible beings whose beauty dazzles and their indifference chills (11 January - 12 February).
Picasso
30 Hassan Assem off Brazil St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 7544
Hall I
“Green and Dry” painting exhibition by Samir Fouad
(18 January - 12 February).
Hall II
“What the Heart Perceives” exhibition of painting by Hala Shafaei (18 January - 12 February).
Picasso East
Villa No 39 Al Narges 35th settlement, 90's St, in front of Lake View Compound, New Cairo, Tel 0122 0000035
“Anatomy Lesson (If anyone Notices)” painting exhibition by Eman Ossama (13 January- 3 February).
“How Much?” painting exhibition by Maha Ibrahim
(13 January- 3 February).
TAM
KM 28, Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Abu Rawash, Giza, Tel 01000773860
“The 11th Cairo Art Fair” is the largest annual celebration of contemporary Egyptian art, it brings the country’s most compelling and visionary artists under one roof. This edition marks a special milestone with the unveiling of the exclusive Grand Egyptian Museum Opening Art Collection, presented for the first time for public viewing and acquisition during the fair. This collection offers an elevated encounter with exceptional works crafted specifically for this historical event (12 December from 12pm to 10pm and will be ongoing until mid-January 2026, regular visiting hours: Sunday to Thursday: 10am– 5pm, Saturday: 11am – 6pm).
Yassin art gallery
159, 26th July St, Behind Diwan Bookstore, Zamalek, Tel 01271170035
“Odd” exhibition of painting by Yasser Nabaiel
(closing 29 January).
ALEXANDRIA
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Port Said St, Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Archaeological Museum
A permanent exhibition on the results of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Turin in Nelson Island.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 29 January, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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