Gamal El-Sigini, master of sculpture. Born in Bab Al-Shi’ria district, Cairo in 1917, Gamal El-Sigini is a pioneer of plastic arts in general, sculpture in particular. His revolutionary sculptures have set the trend for a movement combining both psychological and artistic dimensions of a piece of work.

The social and economic environment of his childhood had left a tremendous effect on his artistic style. El-Sigini believed that the artist should truly echo people’s problems and sufferings through his work.

On the pioneering artist Youssef Emil’s recommendation, El-Sigini joined the Higher Fine Arts School in 1933. Over the period 1951-64, Gamal El-Sigini worked as professor of sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University.

El-Sigini’s works, especially those done during the 1940’s and 1950’s, record the development of the modern Egyptian artistic movement. El-Sigini was deeply influenced by the British sculptor Henry Moore. He was a life-long advocate of innovation and creativity.

His exquisite works include oil paintings, baked-clay statutes, monumental sculptures, hammered-copper medals, bronze busts and mural relieves - to name but a few. El-Sigini, further, employed Islamic art elements, such as minarets and domes.

In appreciation of El-Sigini’s distinguished career, the 1974 report of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization (UNESCO) entitled "Contemporary Art Techniques in Egypt" includes a whole section on his life and artistic production.

Awards:
• 1956 Artistic Production Award.
• 1957 Gold medal, International Exhibition, Moscow.
• 1958 First Prize, Arts Protection Council.
• 1958 Gold Medal, Brussels International Exhibition.
• 1964 Concave Art Award.