Modern Egyptian Art & Post-Colonial Cultural Politics | Clare Davies

In this powerful episode of The afikra Podcast, host Mikey Mhenna speaks with Clare Davies, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The conversation centers on the origins and evolution of Egyptian modern art, challenging nationalist narratives and colonial frameworks that have long shaped art historical discourse. Davies argues that modern Egyptian art didn't begin with a single date or institution, but with an ontological shift in how the art object was understood—particularly through the destruction of historic Cairo and the creation of a 'binary city' in the late 19th century. This fragmentation allowed for the emergence of autonomous artworks, collected and valued by new patrons. Key figures like Huda Shahrawi, Mahmoud Mokhtar, and the radical Art and Freedom Group are highlighted as pivotal in shaping a politically charged, anti-colonial art scene. Davies also reflects deeply on the emotional weight of her Palestinian-Egyptian-Tunisian-Sudanese identity amid ongoing regional conflicts, emphasizing the urgency of preserving and showcasing Arab world art in global institutions. The episode underscores how art functions not just as aesthetic expression, but as a site of resistance, nation-building, and cultural memory. The discussion reveals systemic flaws in how Middle Eastern art is studied and presented—particularly the persistent East vs. West binary, the tendency to reduce art to political propaganda, and the lack of critical engagement with artists' work. Davies calls for more nuanced, interconnected histories that move beyond national boundaries and celebrate the complexity of artistic movements across the Arab world. She also critiques the celebratory tone often applied to Egyptian art, advocating instead for honest, critical dialogue. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with Davies envisioning a dinner party of revolutionary artists like Georges Hennin, Camilleton Massani, and Aisha Shahada—figures whose radical ideas and personal lives continue to challenge dominant narratives. This conversation is both a scholarly excavation and a deeply personal act of cultural preservation.