Restorative Artwork or Rejuvenative Canvases
In the heart of Cairo's Downtown, at 8, Talaat Harb Square, 1st floor, the 5+5 Art Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of vibrant paintings by Leela Esmat. The exhibition, running until Sunday, 31st January 2010, showcases a unique blend of colour, symbolism, and energy, all aimed at evoking positive emotions in viewers.
Esmat, a certified master of Reiki, claims to infuse her paintings with Reiki healing energy. Her art is a testament to this, with its bold use of colours like magentas and greens, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. However, the relationship between an artist's mood and the effect of their art on viewers is complex. While Esmat's personal mood might influence her work, it is the artistic elements and the viewer's personal interpretation that primarily determine the emotional impact of the art.
One of the recurring characters in Esmat's paintings is the aragoz, a traditional Egyptian puppet that represents a street-wise witness to the troubles of times. Esmat does not intend to make a political statement through her work, but depicts the aragoz for its animated and festive flair. During the Mamluk period, the aragoz was used in the streets to deliver criticisms of the authorities using sarcasm and humour.
Esmat's paintings also contain symbolism, with the aragoz character being a prime example. Apart from the colours and energies, her art offers healing and protection, as claimed by the artist. To demonstrate the positive energy of her paintings, Esmat uses a pendulum. When placed over an ashtray, it spins counter-clockwise, denoting negative energy. However, when placed over one of Esmat's paintings, it moves in the opposite direction, indicating positive energy.
Esmat's paintings are for sale, and she believes that negative energy can be transmitted from the artist to the artwork. With a PhD in Egyptian folklore and a master's in anthropology, Esmat continues to explore painting further, driven by ideas about the relationship between the artist's attitude and the potential therapeutic impact of the artwork on viewers.
Esmat's paintings feature impressionistic depictions of freely whirling dervishes and smiley puppets, adding to the overall vibrant and energetic feel of her art. Her first exhibition was in 2002, and since then, her work has been a testament to her unique blend of artistic elements and intentional creation aimed at triggering positive vibes in viewers.
[1] "The Psychology of Colour in Marketing and Branding." Psychology Today. Web. 25 Nov. 2019. [2] "The Impact of Texture and Pattern on Emotions in Art." The Art of Psychology. Web. 25 Nov. 2019. [3] "The Emotional Power of Color in Design." UX Collective. Medium. Web. 25 Nov. 2019. [4] "Abstract Art: Understanding the Emotional Impact." The Art Story. Web. 25 Nov. 2019. [5] "The Role of Personal Experience in the Interpretation of Abstract Art." The Art of Psychology. Web. 25 Nov. 2019.
In Egypt, one might find a unique home-and-garden style that seamlessly integrates vibrant paintings by Leela Esmat, such as those currently on display at the 5+5 Art Gallery in Cairo's Downtown. Esmat's art, influenced by her background in Egyptian folklore and Reiki healing, creates a lifestyle that encourages positive emotions and offers healing and protection, making her work a fascinating exploration of the emotional impact of art.
