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Batik artists
Saïd Ibrahim

1st generation batik artist

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Saïd Ibrahim
Born 1958, Saïd joined the Center in1964 to work in the garden for a few hours after school. He was bright and adventurous, so when he turned 10, Ramses proposed to teach him Batik Batik needs quickness of mind and a sure hand, making him one of the 1st generation of batik artists at the centre. Skills he felt suited Saiid’s personality When Ramses died, he continued to work with Yoanna. He prefers large projects in which he paints strong, bold lines using contrasting colours. Saiid is keen that his family remains part of the Center so he encouraged his son, Saber, to join the batik group and brings his grandson during school breaks. Since 1975 he participated in many exhibitions. His works adorns many private & public buildings in Egypt & abroad “This is our place & if you’re [Yoanna] absent or too busy, it’s our duty to run it like you would until you return” Saiid I.
1975:France.Paris Egypt cultural center.
1978:Germany .Touring exhibition
1981:Italy. Rome Egyptian art academy
1985:UK. Touring exhibition
1990:Belgium. Tournai.First Tapestry Triennal
1993:France. Paris Institut du monde arabe.
2000: Switzerland.Geneva.United nations Human rights organization.
2006: England. London .Brunei gallery, SOAS university of London.
He travelled to Scotland to accompany an exhibition for the Center in which he participated.
2025- Staatliche Museum/James Simon gallery - Berlin/Gallery
Rizk Abd El Salam

Rizk joined the center in 1975

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Rizk Abd El Salam
As he was born with a handicap which prevents him from using his left arm and hand, it prevented him from working as a farmer for his family so his father insisted he works at the center. Sophie didn’t have enough looms so she asked Yoanna to teach him batik instead. His subjects of choice are birds and field animals . His style is primitive but full of life and his animals are usually depicted in actions, such as hunting or being playful. As for his colour palette of choice, he has a preference for bright colours on very dark back ground.
Saber Saïd Ibrahim

Saber joined the center in 1991

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Saber Saïd Ibrahim
Born in 1980 Saber joined the center in 1991. He used to come after school to work beside his father. When he received his Diploma in commerce he came to work full-time. Saber strives to innovate in subjects and composition and gives a lot of attention to details. His work was exhibited in 2016- the Brunei gallery SOAS University of London & 2025 The Staatliche Museum – James Simon gallery, Berlin- German
Cotton tapestry weavers
ABD EL CHAFY CHAABAN

Abd El Chafy joined the center in 1977

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ABD EL CHAFY CHAABAN
Abd El Chafy (1964-1922) joined the center in 1977. His older sister, Lotfia, is one of the first generation weavers but he was also joined by his much younger brother, Saiid, later. He was the oldest of the cotton group and as such considered himself their leader. He was the one responsible for organising the chores while dyeing the threads or helping set the looms for weaving etc. He focused his effort on the general composition and the movement more than the details. Chafy believed strongly in other worldly spirits and superstitions. This is reflected in the general dreamlike style of his designs. Sometimes he liked to make weavings not defined by direction or contour of design. He participated in many exhibitions with the center.
Exhibitions
1980:Austria.Vienna Galery am graben
1981:Rome.Egyptian art academy
1985: UK. Touring exhibition
1990:Belgium. Tournai Tapestry triennal
1991:France Angers Muses Lurçat
1993 Françe Paris Institut du Monde Arabe
1995 Norway
1997.England London Gallery47
1999.England Gallery47
2000 Switzerland Geneva Human rights organisation
2006.England. London Brunei gallery University of London
2009 England.Gloucester Nature in art museum
2012 England London
2014.England Gloucester Nature in art museum.
Adel chahat

Adel joined in 1977

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Adel chahat
Adel was a member of the first group of cotton weavers who joined in 1977 He liked to weave flowers and plants & integrated different colours in the background which emphasises the lushness of his designs. He married his colleague Nadra Abdallah. They had 6 daughters together. Although Adel was struggling with severe illness for a few years, he insisted on coming to weave whenever he was able to. Sadly we lost him to liver failure in 2019
He took part in these exhibitions
1980:Austria Vienna Gallery am graben
1981:Italy Rome Egyptian art academy
1985 UK touring exhibition
1991: France Anger Muses Lurçat
1993:France Paris Institut du monde Arabe
1997:UK london Gallery 47.
2000: Switzerland Geneva United Nations Human rights organisation
2006: UK London Brunei gallery University of London
Mohamed. Achour

Mohamed joined the center in 1977

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Mohamed. Achour
Born 1969, Mohamed joined the center in 1977 with the first group of cotton weavers. He divides his time between weaving and farming, an activity which is reflected in his choice of subjects. Very often his tapestries depict field animals and birds.
His work was exhibited in
1980: Gallery am graben Vienna Austria
1981: Rome Egyptian art academy
1985:Uk. Touring exhibition
1990: Belgium Tapestry Triennal Tournai
1991: France Angers Muses Lurçat
1993:France Paris Institut du monde Arabe
1997: England London Gallery 47
2000: Switzerland Geneva Human rights organisation
2006:England London Brunei gallery SOAS University of London
2009: England Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014:England London
2014:England Gloucester Nature in art museum
Sabah Ragab

Sabah was brought to the center in 1977

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Sabah Ragab
Born 1969 Sabah was brought to the center in 1977 by her aunt who was a first generation weaver. She prefers to weave larger tapestries depicting fields or village scenes. She travelled to London to attend the Brunei gallery. To present to visitors of the gallery with her skills at weaving though the cotton loom was too large to travel with, Sabah had no problem adapting her work to a wool weaving loom. She also has a tapestry exhibited at the Muses Lurçat. Sabah was the first of the second generation of weavers to insist on the continuation of the cotton tapestry art through a third generation of students, her own granddaughters- To’a and Arwa
She took part in these exhibition :
1980 :Austria. Vienna Gallery am graben
1981 :Italy Rome Egyptian art academy
1985Uk. Touring exhibition
1990: Belgium Tournai Triennal de la tapisserie
1991 France Anger Muses Lurçat
1993 France Paris Institut du Monde Ararbe
1997 Uk London Gallery47
2000Switzerland Geneva Human rights organisation
2006: Uk.London Brunei gallery University of London
2009: Uk Gloucester Nature in Art museum
2014England London
2014:Uk Gloucester Nature in art museum
2025: Staatliche museum - Berlin, James-Simon gallery - Germany
Reda Abd el Hay Aly

Reda joined the cotton group with her brother and sister in 1979.

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Reda Abd el Hay Aly
Born 1971 Reda joined the cotton group with her brother and sister in 1979. Her weaving is full of movement and colours she likes to outline her motifs with several colours. Reda’s designs very easily put a smile on the onlookers face because of her quirky , free imagination, unexpected and delightful motifs such an animal flying in the sky or its body creating a bridge or a row of egrets forming a line to the other side of the lake etc.
Exhibitions:
1985: Uk Touring exhibition
1990:Tournai Triennal de la tapisserie
1993: Institut du monde Arabe
1997: Gallery 47
2000: Switzerland Geneva Human rights organisation
2006 Uk. Brunei gallery University of London
2009Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014:Uk Gloucester Nature in art.
2022: Ubunto Gallery - Egypt
2025: Staatliche museum Berlin- James-Simon gallery - Germany
Harbeya Aly Ahmed

Harbeya came to the center together with her brother in 1979.

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Harbeya Aly Ahmed
Born 1970, Harbeya came to the center together with her brother in 1979. She sadly lost her hearing when she was 16 due to a late diagnosis of meningitis. Refusing to use hearing aids, her weaving became even more important to her self-expression . She lives in a world of her own, with a great sense of humour, very apparent in her weavings of village scenes. The details are very important to her as she is a hard critic both on her own work and that of her colleagues, which they happily take with respect to her apparent skill and sharp eye for detail.
Exhibitions
1985: Uk Touring exhibition
1990: Belgium Tournai Triennal de la tapisserie
1991: France Angers Muses Lurçat
1993:France Paris Institut du Monde Arabe
1997:Uk. London 47
2000: Switzerland Geneva Human rights organisation
2006 London Brunei gallery University of London
2009 Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014: England London
2014: Uk Gloucester Nature in Art museum
2022 Ubunto Gallery - Cairo, Egypt
2025: Staatliche museum Berlin- James-Simon gallery - Germany
Mamdouh Farag

Mamdouh Joined the center in 1987

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Mamdouh Farag
Born 1976 . Mamdouh Joined the center in 1987 He suffers from hearing problems and general bad health which affects his ability to weave sometimes, so he choses to work on smaller tapestries. His designs are more primitive but expressive and full of charm and humour . He’s married to his colleague, Hallawa Mohamed. They’re the proud parents of 4 daughters.
He took part in this exhibitions:
2006: Uk. London Brunei gallery University of London
2009:Uk.Gloucester Nature in art museum.
2014:England London.
2014:Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum.
2022: Ubunto Gallery - Egypt
Halawa Mohamed

Halawa came to the center in1986 following 4 sisters

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Halawa Mohamed
Born in1976 Halawa came to the center in1986 following 4 sisters . Although her subjects are mostly birds, plants , she has a very delicate style that makes these scenes from everyday life a unique work of art. Her preferred designs are of small creatures, intricately woven with lush greenery. Halawa is married to Mamdouh farag and has 4 daughters. Halawa’s disposition is always as cheerful as her name, meaning sweetness, suggests. That is often reflected in her work.
Exhibitions
1990: Premiere Triennale De la Tapisserie – Belgium, Tournai
1991: L’Egypte Tisée – Angers, France
1993: Institut du monde Arabe – Paris, France
1994: Egyptian cultural week – Beirut, Lebanon
1995: Norway
1996/97: Touring exhibition- Finland
1999: Egyptian cultural week - Tunis
2000: Human rights organization, Palais des Nations – Geneva, Switzeralnd
2006: Brunei gallery S.O.A.S University of London- UK (opened by actress Joanna Lumley)
2007/8: + Gallery 47 – London, UK (The Wissa Wassef Trust, under Lady Weir) + Egyptian Museum Sartirana Castle – Torino, Italy
2009/14: Gloucester Nature in art museum- UK
1997 Uk. Gallery 47
2000: Geneva Human rights organisation
2006: Uk Brunei gallery University of London
2009: Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014 Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum
2022: Ubunto Gallery - Egypt
2025: Staatliche museum Berlin- James-Simon gallery - Germany
Hanem Abd el Hay Aly

Hanem joined the center in1982

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Hanem Abd el Hay Aly
Born 1974: Hanem joined the center in1982 following her brother and sister, Reda. She has a very delicate style in which she likes to weave stories , scenes depicting songs or games. Her parents did not send her to school and they married her very young. Now that her children grew up, she is learning to read, with the hope of someday being able to read the Quran.
Exhibitions:
1991: France Angers muses Lurçat
1993:France Paris Institut du monde arabe
1997:Uk Gallery 47
2000 switzerland Geneva Human rights organisation
2006: Uk London Brunei gallery University of London
2009 Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014:Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum
2022: Ubunto Gallery - Egypt
2025: Staatliche museum Berlin- James-Simon gallery - Germany
Nadra Abdallah

Nadra joined the center in 1988.

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Nadra Abdallah
Born 1978, Nadra joined the center in 1988. Although she was married to her colleague Adel (who sadly died in 2019) and has 6 daughters, she always finds time to innovate and look for new inspiration. Her designs are delicate and well structured .Whether she weaves scenes from every day life or nature, her designs always exude a sense of peace and serenity. Nadra mothered her sisters as a young girl and grew up to be one of the most respected artists of the Cotton group, due to her resilient and wise character.
1993:Institut du monde arabe
1997London Gallery 47
2000: Geneva Human rights organisation
2006: Uk London Brunei gallery University of London
2009: Uk. Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014:Uk . Gloucester Nature in museum
2022: Ubunto Gallery - Egypt
2025: Staatliche museum Berlin- James-Simon gallery - Germany
Gyhan Rizk Emam

Gyhan joined the center in 1992

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Gyhan Rizk Emam
Born 1980, Gyhan joined the center in 1992 She uses strong bold lines.Besides weaving flowers and birds her preferred subject is scenes of craftsmen practising their trade . She was especially interested in disappearing crafts, until she was challenged to create the whole universe in a tapestry. Since then she’d readily dive into any new theme, the bigger the challenge the better. One of which is her most famous piece in which she describes the art center and includes all the activities and artworks, another is reflection of the universe and many more List of exhibition in witch she took part
2000 Geneva Human rights organisation
1990: Premiere Triennale De la Tapisserie – Belgium, Tournai
1991: L’Egypte Tisée – Angers, France
1993: Institut du monde Arabe – Paris, France
1994: Egyptian cultural week – Beirut, Lebanon
1995: Norway
1996/97: Touring exhibition- Finland
1999: Egyptian cultural week - Tunis
2000: Human rights organization, Palais des Nations – Geneva, Switzeralnd
2006: Brunei gallery S.O.A.S University of London- UK (opened by actress Joanna Lumley)
2007/8: + Gallery 47 – London, UK (The Wissa Wassef Trust, under Lady Weir) + Egyptian Museum Sartirana Castle – Torino, Italy
2009: Gloucester Nature in art museum- UK
2014: Gloucester Nature in art museum- UK
2022: Ubunto Gallery - Egypt
2025: Staatliche museum Berlin- James-Simon gallery - Germany
Saïd Chaaban Hassanein

Saiid joined his brother Abd el Chafy at the center in 1989.

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Saïd Chaaban Hassanein
Born 1976, Saiid joined his brother Abd el Chafy at the center in 1989. He loves geometric designs, dividing his tapestries into squares, triangles and circles. These elements of the composition sometimes are more important than the plants or birds or whatever subject he has chosen so much so that his colleagues nick named him mr squares.
2006:UK. London Brunei gallery University of London
2009:UK Gloucester Nature in art museum
2014:England London
2014:UkGloucester Nature in art museum
2022: Ubunto gallery – Cairo, Egypt
2025: Staatliche Museum, Berlin 0 James-Simon gallery - Germany