(I) and (II) HIDDEN IDENTITIES
(i) and (ii) signed and dated A.FARID. 019 centre right
(i) and (ii) oil on canvas
(i) and (ii) 220.5 x 122cm; 86 7/8 x 48in each
(i) and (ii) unframed

Property of a Lady, London

Provenance
Art D'Egypte
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2020

Born in Cairo, Ahmed Farid is an influential Egyptian painter whose creative journey is marked by an enduring dialogue between Eastern tradition and Western innovation. Early in his life, Farid immersed himself in the studios of established artists, training through apprenticeships that shaped his unique approach to art. His transition from a career in marketing and business to painting was inspired by extensive travels during the vibrant cultural era of the early 1970s, which exposed him to both the aftermath of Europe's post-1968 upheavals and the American 'summer of love,' as well as Egypt's political and social transformations.

Farid quickly earned recognition as a leading figure in contemporary Egyptian art. His international reputation was cemented through acquisitions of his work by Luxury Living, a subsidiary of LVMH’s Fendi Casa in Miami, Florida, and his appointment as visiting professor at the Academia D'Arte (ADA) in Florence, Italy. He has also participated in auctions and galas such as the Chain of Hope Gala in London, and his painting Melody of Chaos is on permanent display at the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art.

Farid’s artistic style is characterised by layered abstraction, where he builds compositions with oil, acrylic, ink, or gold leaf, then covers them with additional layers to create complex, tactile surfaces he calls "terrestrial crusts." This technique symbolises the accumulation of history and human experience. His paintings, while often appearing abstract, are populated by ethereal figures, marked by oversized eyes, that emerge from beneath waves of colour and act as silent witnesses to the human condition. Through series like Building Humanity and Collision, he explores the tension between the rigid architecture of modern cities and the fluid, emotive values of their inhabitants, focusing more on the ongoing process of being human than on capturing moments in time.

Influences from artists such as Gazbia Sirry and Nicholas de Stael can be glimpsed in Farid’s pursuit of harmony through vibrant colours and balanced forms. His distinctive blend of American painting techniques with Egyptian cultural references makes his work stand out in the contemporary art scene, not as a mere continuation of past trends, but as a personal and modern evolution of artistic language. Farid continues to live and work in Cairo, exhibiting his art in major cities like London, Florence, and Miami, and maintaining his place as a central figure in Egyptian art. His presence in significant collections and his success at high-profile auctions further underline his impact and legacy in both local and international spheres.