Tahia Mohammed Halim was an Egyptian painter, born on September 9, 1919, in Sudan, where her family resided at the time. She was one of the pioneers of the Modern Expressive Movement in Egyptian Art during the 1960s, a period in which she excelled in capturing the idiosyncrasies of the Egyptian character through her art. Her works often depicted scenes of Nubian culture, the Nile, boats, and popular and national subjects, earning her numerous honorary awards both in Egypt and internationally. Raised within the Royal Palace of Cairo, Tahia Halim's early life was steeped in the arts and culture of the Egyptian elite. Her father served as the laureate of King Fuad I of Egypt, which afforded her a primary education within the palace walls. This unique upbringing provided her with exposure to the arts from a young age, setting the stage for her future career as an artist. Tahia Halim's artistic education was diverse and comprehensive. She studied under several prominent artists, including the Lebanese painter Yussef Trabelsi and the Greek artist Gerom. Her education continued under the tutelage of the Egyptian artist Hamed Abdallah at his studio in 1943. Their relationship blossomed beyond the artistic, leading to their marriage in 1945. The couple then moved to Paris, where Tahia Halim furthered her studies at the Académie Julian from 1949 to 1951. Upon their return to Egypt, they taught art together in their private studio located in Downtown Cairo, near Tahrir Square. Throughout her career, Tahia Halim's work was celebrated and recognized with several scholarships and awards. She received two devotion scholarships of Art Production in 1960 and 1975. Her national and international acclaim was further solidified with awards such as the Golden medal in Painting on the Knowledge Day in 1960, the State Encouragemental Prize in Painting and the Order of Science and Art in 1969, and the Guggenheim International Competition in New York City in 1958. Tahia Halim's exhibitions spanned both solo and group shows, with her work being displayed in prestigious venues around the world. Her solo exhibitions ran from 1942 to 1996, including shows in England and Sweden. In 1996, she held a retrospective titled "55 Years of Arts" at Khan el-Maghrabi in Cairo. Her international exhibitions included the São Paulo Biennial in 1954, the Venice Biennial in 1955, 1960, and 1970, and the Alexandria Biennial for Mediterranean Countries in 1955, 1958, and 1960. She also participated in the Guggenheim International Competition in New York in 1957 and posthumously in "The Sea Suspended" at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in 2016 and "The Short Century" at the Sharjah Art Museum in the UAE in 2016. One of her most notable works, "Farhat Al Nuba" (The Happiness of Nubia), created after 1962, reflects her focus on Nubia and Ancient Egyptian cultural heritage. This piece is a celebration of Nubian culture and peasant life, employing gold leaf in a subversive manner that contrasts with its traditional use for depicting royalty in Ancient Egyptian art. The painting is a tribute to President Gamal Abdel Nasser and is considered one of her most ambitious compositions. Tahia Halim's legacy was further honored when Google dedicated a Doodle to her on the 96th anniversary of her birth on September 9, 2015, reaching all countries of the Arab World. Her works are held in private collections and prestigious institutions, including the Barjeel Art Foundation and the Egyptian Modern Art Museum in Cairo. Tahia Halim passed away on May 24, 2003, but her work continues to be a testament to her love for her homeland and her dedication to capturing the spirit of Egyptian life and culture. Her paintings, characterized by expressive brushstrokes and earthy tones, remain a significant part of the narrative of modern Egyptian art.

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