A perspective by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid on the Fifteen Paintings Reflecting the Abstract Expressionism of Artist Abdel Razek Okasha
Introduction to the Visual Experience
The collection of fifteen paintings vividly captures scenes from a Parisian café. The artist noted that the inspiration came from the street he lives on, naming the collection Love at Nazir’s Café on Our Parisian Street, and he did not forget to include the precise address:
Rue des Abbesses, 75018.
The brushstrokes and fluidity of colors reflect the movement of daily life and the diverse characters inhabiting it. These fifteen snapshots appear as if they are fleeting moments, capturing human encounters and conversations within a bustling urban setting filled with energy and emotions.
These works belong to the Abstract Expressionist School, a style in which Abdel Razek Okasha excels. His paintings act as a mirror to a relentless reality, focusing more on color and rhythm than on the realistic depiction of figures and spaces. The brush is applied spontaneously, with quick and overlapping strokes, creating a sense of motion and ephemerality. The traveling artist does not seek to precisely document reality, but rather to evoke the atmosphere and emotions of these scenes.
Color and Technique
The paintings feature bold and warm colors, such as yellow and red, contrasted with cool shades of blue and green, producing dynamic contrasts that enhance the sense of vitality. The colors are not entirely blended, but rather applied to canvas or paper in a way that preserves their raw texture. This technique is reminiscent of Van Gogh’s style, where visible brushstrokes serve as an expressive element in their own right.
Composition and Interaction Between Characters
Okasha’s compositions often depict two or more figures engaged in conversation or contemplation, while some pieces focus on solitary individuals absorbed in their thoughts or engrossed in writing and reading. The intriguing aspect is that the faces are often left undefined or ambiguous, allowing the viewer to project their emotions and personal interpretations onto the characters.
As I examined the paintings, I considered rearranging them to create a narrative—similar to French films that weave together separate stories, with the director skillfully structuring them into a cohesive cinematic experience rather than a mere sequence of events.
Some scenes exhibit visual congestion, evoking the bustling ambiance of a café, while others feature empty spaces, conveying a sense of isolation—a contrast between social interaction and personal solitude within a public setting.
Expressive and Symbolic Depth
Through composition and color, the paintings highlight the intimate atmosphere of the café as a space for human connection. Yet, at the same time, they reveal an undercurrent of personal alienation, as some characters appear lost in their own world despite being surrounded by others. These paintings do not merely document daily life, but offer a psychological reading of the human condition, capturing emotions of isolation, anticipation, and interaction in every scene.
Conclusion: Spontaneity and Profound Expression
This collection represents a captivating visual experience, blending spontaneity and emotional intensity with a deep exploration of social life. It is not merely a record of fleeting moments in a café, but an attempt to explore human emotions through the language of color and abstraction.
The unfinished strokes and undefined lines reflect the very nature of life itself, where nothing remains static or entirely clear, but instead, everything is in a constant state of transformation and interaction.
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Courtesy: The Silk Road Today, Cairo, Egypt
