Gamal El-Sagini became known as one of the most prominent sculptors in 20th century Egypt. Although best known for sculpture, El-Sagini used various mediums including painting, ceramics, hammered copper and was also a gifted medalist. His oeuvre is deeply concerned with Egypt’s rapidly changing political landscape, using symbolism to evoke emotions associated with his country’s victories and downfalls. After Israel’s attack on Egypt in 1967, El-Sagini’s work expressed the collective feeling of frustration and despair that pervaded the nation.
He earned his Sculpture diploma from the Higher School of Fine Arts in Cairo in 1938 and obtained his diploma in Sculpture and Medal Arts from Academy of Fine Arts in Rome in 1950. El-Sagini was honoured numerous times during his lifetime, including the Mahmoud Mokhtar Trophy for Sculpture in 1937 founded by Huda Shaarawi, the Gold Medal at the International Moscow Exhibition of 1957, Egypt’s Prestigious Award granted to him by Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1962, and the Medal of Honor from the Italian ambassador in 1963.
His works are included in the collections of the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art in Cairo, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Dalloul Art Foundation, and his statue of Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi can be found at the Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome.
