Observatory Mansions

Samo Shalaby

Cairo, Egypt, b. 1999

Samo Shalaby is Dubai and London based Egyptian-Palestinian visual artist. Having been exposed to a diverse array of artistic expressions while growing up in Cairo and Dubai, and further refining his practice at Central Saint Martins, London, Shalaby's creative journey has been shaped by a myriad of influences. His exploration of art spas various disciplines including painting, photography, stage design, costume design, and jewelry, each contributing to unique blend of theatricality and dram a that characterizes his work. Drawing from a wide spectrum of artistic styles, from antiquity to surrealism and grotesque, Shalaby strives to infuse his creations with a contemporary sensibility that reflects his personal perspectives. at the core of his practice lies a fascination with the intersection of identity, culture, and couture, often expressed through dichotomous narratives that challenge conventional notions of beauty and elegance, unveiling stories that lurk beneath masked facades. By blending elements from different eras and cultures, Shalaby aim to create new worlds that are familiar yet so far away. From future and past, otherworldly and vast. Whether on camera or canvas, symbolism, and storytelling are crucial elements for conjuring his work to life. Born and raised in Arabic culture, Shalaby's thoughts and art clearly reflect the Arab cultures. To Shalaby, culture is a beautiful maximalist approach, which always influences himself and his art practice. Mixing things that don't initially make sense, from eras and styles to colors and costumes. The culture allowed him to be brave and to be impulsive throughout his artistic journey, and that too much doesn't really exist in his mind. His art, however, does not always reflect on where he came from, but rather depicts the worlds he would like to create and to inhabit. Shalaby's art tells simple to complicated stories, depending on where the audiences look. Narrative building and symbolism are integral to why he creates art. To screm in whispers of paint. Everything is meticulously thought through to build context and curiosity. The message, whatever it may be, is always packaged in crowds of excess, allowing the audiences to decipher meaning to them personally over time. To depict this, Shalaby's practice tends to merge hyper-surrealism with dream worlds. Past and Present. Where dichotomies collide and reflect on one another, revealing messages behind symbolism and allegories. Characters serve as truth-bearers, like chess pieces, each telling a different tale and bringing forth unique energies with a gravity of their own. As for Shalaby, this is a personal exploration process, which is also a form of therapy to himself.