Biography
Born in Alexandria in 1977, Klay Mohamed Abdel Aziz Kassem is a distinguished Egyptian artist and academic. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University in 2000, and went on to earn an MA in Art Studies in 2008 and a Ph.D. in 2013. Kassem is a member of the Fine Arts Syndicate in Alexandria and currently lectures at the city’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
His work has been featured in over 48 national exhibitions across Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Port Said, and he has participated in more than six international exhibitions in Muscat, India, Paris, and various locations in Egypt. Kassem has held several solo exhibitions at notable venues including the Mahmoud Said Museum, Gezira Arts Centre, and El Tazauk Palace.
Kassem’s art, known for its abstract expressionism, blends contemporary styles with motifs inspired by ancient Egyptian culture. His innovative approach has earned him eight national art awards, including first prize at the Nagy Salon in 1999 and the Grand Prize in Painting at the Port Said Biennale in 2011. His works are part of permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts in Helwan, the Contemporary Arts Museum in Luxor, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture in Cairo.
Artwork
