DE51GN

Cairo-based Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art was founded in 1998 to support artistic work and increase accessibility to contemporary art in Egypt. It has rapidly grown to become one of the region’s leading independent art spaces.

Damon Kowarsky

The gallery is holding its first live auction of contemporary art on Saturday, June 6, 2009 in the gallery’s factory space; the works on sale are on view currently. More than thirty renowned artists, many from the Middle East have donated work to support Townhouse, a non-profit foundation. Guests will have the opportunity to view the works over cocktails and canapés at 7.00pm and then take part in an auction starting at 8.00 pm, conducted by Townhouse director, William Wells. All funds raised will go to the gallery and its outreach program, which offers free arts workshops to adults and children, including those with special needs and from under served communities. To purchase entrance cards, please contact fundraising@thetownhousegallery.co

Lara Baladi

Helio Gravure

Some of the participating artists include Adam Henein, Ahmed Askalany, Amre Heiba, Anna Boghighuian, Ayman el Semary, Chant Avedissian, Damon Kowarsky, Doa Aly, Esmat Daoustachi, Essam Marouf, Farouk Hosny, George Bahgory, Huda Lutfi, John Jurayj, Khaled Hafez, Lamia Joreige, Lara Baladi, Maha Maamoun, Marianne Eigenheimer, Mohamed Abla, Mohamed Sharkawy, Mona Hatoum, Nazli Madkour, Nermine Hammam, Rana El Nemr, Sabah Naim, Shady el Noshokaty, Swoon, Susan Hefuna, Tarek el Komi, Wael Shawky, Waheeda Malullah, Yiannis Hadjilaslanis, Yto Barrada and others.

The gallery sitatued in a three-floor building and an attached 650 square meter converted factory space house exhibition galleries showcasing new contemporary works, classrooms, a library and archive, and six studios. The gallery hosts theater and experimental music performances as well as film screenings, public lectures, symposiums, and workshops. In addition to promoting contemporary Egyptian art, the gallery also runs an extensive education and outreach program that brings the arts to some of Egypt’s most under-privileged communities, such as child labourers and refugees. Workshops cover such diverse areas as animation, theater, visual arts, set design, and filmmaking.