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Khaled Zaki on Egyptian Abstraction, Italian Craft, and the Resonance of Memory

artist · 2026-04-22

Khaled Zaki, an Egyptian artist, reflects on his artistic journey, merging Egyptian abstraction with Italian artistry to delve into themes of memory and trauma. He began his education in business but later transitioned to a Master's program in Restoration at Cairo University. In the 1980s, Zaki traveled to Italy, where he honed his skills in stone sculpture alongside prominent artists. His Resurrection series, motivated by the Palestinian plight and his own displacement post-1967 war, tackles collective memory, with pieces such as The Sitting Patriot (2011) echoing the Egyptian revolution. Under the guidance of Zakaria Al Khonani and Dr. Aida Abdel Karim, he studied in Italy. In 2013, he showcased Sufi sculptures and a gold-leaf sarcophagus at the Venice Biennale and is now revisiting his seashell-inspired works from 1988–89.

Key facts

  • Khaled Zaki studied business and earned an MBA before pursuing a Masters in Restoration at Cairo University.
  • He traveled to Italy to learn sculpture through hands-on workshop experience, working 12-hour days with artists and technicians.
  • His Resurrection series explores collective memory, influenced by the Palestinian situation and his displacement from Suez after the 1967 war.
  • Zaki was mentored by Egyptian artists Zakaria Al Khonani and Dr Aida Abdel Karim in Harraniya from 1982.
  • He represented Egypt at the 2013 Venice Biennale, exhibiting Sufi sculptures and a six-metre gold-leaf sarcophagus during political turmoil.
  • The artist transitioned from representational to abstract sculpture, inspired by ancient Egyptian minimalism.
  • Zaki is currently revisiting early seashell-inspired carvings from his 1988–89 period in Italy.
  • The interview was first published in Canvas 119: Body Language.

Entities

Artists

  • Khaled Zaki
  • Zakaria Al Khonani
  • Dr Aida Abdel Karim
  • Mohamed Banawy

Institutions

  • Cairo University
  • Faculty of Archaeology
  • Venice Biennale
  • Canvas

Locations

  • Egypt
  • Italy
  • Cairo
  • Suez
  • Alexandria
  • Harraniya
  • Venice

Sources