Tails of the Citadel

“Tails of the Citadel” is a children’s picture book that introduces young readers to the rich history of Egypt’s Citadel of Salah El Din. Through the eyes of a curious hamster who finds himself lost within the Citadel, children embark on a magical adventure. Along the way, the hamster meets a grumpy cat and a friendly pigeon, both of whom help guide him through the Citadel. As the story unfolds, readers explore the Citadel’s famous landmarks, like the grand Mohammed Ali Mosque.

They wanna call me Cleopatra

Medium: Silkscreen on fabric

They wanna call me Cleopatra is a book / carpet or blanket. Whatever you need in the moment to feel at home. This research work was based in the struggles Taher experiences as a Dutch-Egyptian women living in Europe. This goes from fetishization to privilege. They wanna call me Cleopatra ultimately shows that non of this is what she actually needs and goes back to the land of Masr. The land, the sand, the water.

Cairo, My Love

These pictures were taken around Cairo from 2019 until now. Cairo, or Qahira in Arabic, always draws me in. It’s the magic of Om Kalthoum’s music playing softly in the background. I love this city that never sleeps—a place full of warmth, stories, and the kindest souls.

Temo

An astronaut embarks on a journey through the world of the EP, but their helmet unveils a deeper narrative—a skeleton within, symbolizing the inevitability of mortality. The visor, shattered by a fiery cosmic explosion, becomes a vivid contrast between life, death, and the mysteries of space evokes a powerful reflection on the fragility of existence and the boldness of exploration.

Kalam Aflam

KALAM AFLAM track music is a collaboration track between Riff and El Wailil. This feature was the ticket for the “M3 Salama” EP world that already submitted as “Goodbyes” poster I kept the bold illustration style with clean lines and vibrant contrasts, while integrating the look and feel of the main cover. Styled like a vintage cinema ticket.

The Passage – الممر

Anybody that knows Yehia knows how much he admires where he spent all his life to this day in, Manial – المنيل and as he & El Manial grew together over these past 23 years we have went through changes & changes only to wake up one day and realize its now time for its turn to go through ‘’Urban Development’’ , while I was in complete disbelief at first bit by bit it was sinking in they are taking away a part of myself and he couldn’t help but grief it every single day

When they walked, their feet crossed tales

Nora Taher explores identity and belonging, shaped by growing up with a parent from a different culture who remains silent about their struggles. Her installation, inspired by her father’s walks along Amsterdam’s tram tracks symbolizes his journey. Carpets adorned with patterns designed from her Egyptian family photos and stories reflect shared narratives. Taher encourages diaspora families to share their stories to heal, feel at home, and embrace the importance of their bond.

The hunter

Bilal, a 50-year-old falconer, poses with kestrel, that’s used to hunt falcons and eagles. Falconry, a traditional sport with roots in ancient Egypt, where the falcon symbolized divinity and protection, is not as common as it once was. However, the legacy of the falcon lives on in modern Egypt, as seen in the eagle symbol on the national flag, representing unity and pride in the country’s history.

«— Who has tasted the water from the Nile, He will always strive for Cairo.»

The poem «Egypt» belong to the Russian poet N. Gumilev, in poster translated into arabic, where the author plays the famous Egyptian saying: «Whoever drinks from the Nile will always return to it» (Who has tasted the water from the Nile/He will always strive for Cairo).
The meaning of the poster lies in the symbolism of the image of the river, its distortion through time epochs: from Ancient Egypt to the Arab world. As Herodotus said in the «Description of Egypt»: «Egypt is the gift of the Nile

Robabekya

Egyptians love clutter! From expired medicine to paper scraps, Robabekya is an experimental journal that documents and sells clutter found in every Egyptian home.

*All imagery used in this publication is authentically sourced from Egyptian homes.

Untold stories

In the heart of Cairo’s Downtown, this photograph captures a fleeting moment where light meets shadow, revealing a quiet presence in the city’s restless flow. The subject stands at the edges of sight, neither fully seen nor entirely lost.Through this piece, I explore the lingering presence of those who exist on the city’s margins and how the city can both connect and isolate us, inviting the viewer to question the man’s story, is he waiting, searching, or simply lost in thought as the city moves

Unseated borders

Unseated Borders, commissioned by Museum Arnhem for “To Each Their Own,” examines how removing an object’s function challenges identity. Inspired by Egyptian creativity and resourcefulness, the artist reflects on the connection between identity and home. Forms of tables and chairs symbolize home, while copper and patterned carpets represent warmth and evolving identity. The installation invites viewers to reconsider identity and explore how surroundings shape their sense of self.

B-Edy ( By my Hands) بأيدي

‎”بدل ما اقول للعمده يا سيدي .. أعمل الحاجه بأيدي”
( Instead of waiting for the mayor to make things done for me, I do it myself with my hands )

This quote inspired me to create this poster, as I often notice how people tend to wait for someone in a higher position to accomplish things for them, believing it will bring quicker results. Meanwhile, those who take small steps themselves often achieve their goals much faster.

My daddy is my hero

This is two pages from My Daddy is My Hero, a children’s storybook.

It’s a story about dads and how they are in many different situations and environments, but they all share the same love for their children.

These two pages specifically depict life on a farm in Egypt, showing how proud the dad is when he sends his daughter to school in his simple car and by donkey. The other page shows the dad welcoming his son home after school.

Icarus

This digital artwork portrays the tragic fall of Icarus. With the sun blazing in the background, his wings crumble as feathers scatter, symbolizing his overreaching ambition. His twisted body and outstretched arms express despair as he plummets towards the serene sea. The glowing sun represents both temptation and peril, while the misty clouds and distant stars add depth to the scene. This piece vividly captures the timeless warning against human hubris and the pursuit of forbidden heights.

Khayameya Coloring book

Khayameya is an Egyptian art that has been a part of the Egyptian culture and visual identity for decades. With the emergence of mechanization, the art lost its individuality and originality. This publication showcases khayameya patterns and design, old and new, through a series of patterns and color options highlighting its intricacy and multitude of coloring options through AR animations. A brief history of the khayameya as an art form is also highlighted throughout the publication.

Ithraa Typeface – Arabic typeface

Ithraa is an Arabic typeface designed to express the elegance of Ahmed Shawqi’s poetry, aiming to celebrate the poet’s legacy and contribution to the Arabic literature. The typeface combines between Naskh and Diwani classical scripts, and it has elongated strokes, smooth curves, and decorative elements in order to be flowing as Shawqi’s poems. The typeface was created during the bachelor project at the German University in Cairo, under the supervision of the Instructor Kholoud Khaled.