As a refreshing break from the themed, meticulously-organised exhibitions presented around the city, the Townhouse Gallery presents the Popular Show, a fresh assemblage of original work by Egypt’s up-and-coming artists.

On opening night, the Townhouse Gallery was brimming with brilliant pieces, eager aspiring artists, and curious art enthusiasts. A risky endeavour, the Popular Show opened the floor to virtually anyone with a paintbrush to participate. But surprisingly, the exhibition is not a mere mess of colour; it is a rather delightful collection of diverse and inspiring art.

The Popular Show enables budding artists to take a step forward, and submit their work to exposure in the contemporary art world. The white walls of the gallery overflow with radiant and interesting pieces; almost too crammed together to be appreciated individually. Yet the effect is undeniably exciting. A sea of colour is plastered across the walls, with occasional waves of true skill, pure talent, and of course, the outright bizarre.

Many of the exhibited pieces were themed around the 25th January Revolution. Photographs of men praying in Tahrir Square, and individuals floating in tear gas, wire figurines of proud protestors waving Egyptian flags, and a large painting of an eagle soaring over joyous crows against a red background covered in the recurring word “Freedom”, attest to the uprising’s imprint on contemporary art.

Curated by Sarah Rifky/CIRCA in collaboration with the Townhouse Gallery, the Popular Show is an experimental initiative that challenges the contemporary art scene. The public has been encouraged to take the lead, in effect collectively shaping a riveting assortment of varied artwork.

A promenade through the Popular Show is a rewarding one, as the overwhelmingly busy walls carry many hidden treasures that definitely warrant a second (and occasionally a third) look.

Ink portraits steal your attention, and you gaze deeper at once. A large mixed media canvas beckons you to crane your neck upwards, as a woman with newspapers for clothes is bound to intrigue you. A zoomed-in portrait of an Egyptian man’s wide, toothy smile immediately strikes a cord, and implores you to return the smile. And a charming, unorthodox painting with a compass sticking out of its right corner draws you in, forcing you to decipher the maps held within its mystifying blues and bold crimson.

The Popular Show runs until 6 April at theTownhouse Gallery