Child's play
By Reham El-Adawi
Designer and artist Ishaq Azmi was out promoting his favourite cause this week, plugging the artistic genius of children. Using the occasion of Egypt's Childhood Day, Azmi has curated an exhibition of children's art entitled "Large Faces by Little Fingers." The show opened as part of the three-day festivities celebrating children and features 70 spontaneous and bold portraits by gifted children between the ages of five and 12. Performances were given by a troupe of children, using painted themed sculptures. Azmi also held a seminar on the children's prize he has established.
The portraits will be on display at the main hall of the National Museum of Children's Art, run by Azmi, until 10 December. Medals and honourable mentions will be distributed for noteworthy pieces of the exhibit and admission to the museum will be free throughout the Childhood Day celebrations. At the seminar, Azmi underscored the need to encourage creativity in young children. The prize of about LE3,000 is given out every year to a child between four and 16 years of age, and Azmi has already made arrangements for the prize to continue after his death. The competition lasts for three months, starting from the new year and running until 30 March, when a committee of artists, critics and academics will select the winner.
|
