The Badr phenomenon

BADR Abdel-Moghni Ali was born in Farafra Oasis in 1958. He is a "spontaneous artist", the kind who falls in love with his surroundings and discovers within himself an artistic gift; a gift he employs to enhance and preserve the beauty he has found in the traditions and nature of the oasis. His work is one that rebuffs the element of modernisation which is poised at the gates of Farafra.

Nor is Badr uneducated. He is a graduate of the Teachers' Academy and has taught history and geography. His work not only reflects a raw talent, but also his culture and a learned understanding of his own history.

Badr's strong belief in the heritage of his ancestors and their civilisation can be clearly seen in his paintings, which capture the day-to-day life and people of the oasis. A woman's necklace; the thoughtful face of an elder: all seem to cry out for their heritage to be preserved.

He is a talented sculptor with an intimate understanding of the elements of his art. He sometimes uses hand-woven fabric and at other times the wood of the palm tree. The latter is a medium he loves, which he has used to create many valuable pieces, capitalising on the rough texture of the wood. There are other sculptures in multi-coloured and multi-textured sandstone, which he has shaped gently using a chisel.

Badr's works can be found at his "museum", a traditional house and garden displaying his work. On the outside stands a collection entitled 'Composite art'. These pieces are made from old wood from palm, peach and olive trees, as well as clay and stone pots draped with traditional cloth and shawls. It is an exhibition of the artist's ability to tame local materials and also express his unity with his reality as inspired by these unique, rich, natural surroundings.

Yes, he is an artist with a cause. His works scream at all those who see them to bring an end to the scandalous destruction of the oasis in the name of modernisation.