This body of work was Yousri’s first attempt to develop his own style. Apart from the formalistic concerns he had at his last year of undergraduate studies, socio-political concerns started occupying his mind as well. This body of work depicts a contradiction Bassem sensed in his surrounding at the time. There was a rise of a conservative islamic current, while other sections of the Egyptian society seemed invaded by the American culture. For Bassem, this was a signifier for a more important question. Since that time, he has been questioning the definition of the Egyptian identity that has been shaped and reshaped constantly for thousands of years.

Photos ©Bassem Yousri.

oil on canvas, 240 x 150 cm, 2003

Oil on canvas, 120 x 70 cm, 2003

Oil on canvas, 120 x 70 cm 2003

Oil on canvas, 120 x 70 cm 2003

Oil on canvas, 120 x 70 cm 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50cm, 2003,

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003 (Property of Shahir Wadee’)

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 50 cm x 70 cm, 2003 (Property of Fadwa Ibrahim Timo.)

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 35 cm x 50 cm, 2003

Oil pastel on paper, 17 cm x 35 cm, 2003 (Property of Tamer abu Ghazaleh)