KHAYAMIYA

KHAYAMIYA

KHAYAMIYA

Near Bab Zuweila, one of three town gates that survive from the Cairo of the Fatimid dynasty, a khayamiya maker sits in a small workshop, curved over a sheet of heavy calico, his fingers moving deftly, with a grace and efficiency that betokens long experience. Onto this blank canvas, he is stitching a world of colour and movement. Once, these great appliqué tapestries would have lined desert tents and pavilions. Today, many khayamiya makers survive by making bags, cushion covers and bedpreads for tourists.

Fascinated by the potential of the medium, Louis Barthélemy began to work with these custodians of Egypt’s living heritage to create contemporary fabric frescoes that dip a teasing toe into the history and culture of the Nile Valley, bringing new life and a fresh audience to an endangered trade.

 


NILE GYM, 139 x 144 cm 

NILE GYM- KAKI, 150 x 150 cm 

EGYPTOMANIA, 170 x 94 cm

LOUBOUXOR, 200 x 200 cm 

LOUBOUXOR PYRAMID, 150 x 150 cm

LOVE WINS, 67 x 80 cm

NUBIAN BROMANCE, 86 x 102 cm

HOMOLULU, 183 x 183 cm

S-PEC-TACULAR, 60 x 81 cm

LES GAZOUS, 150 x 90 cm

L'HEURE DU BAIN, 148 x 150 cm

CHESTY AWY, 91 x 93 cm

LES DEUX AMANTS, 135 x 147 cm

L'HOMME BLEU, 105 x 143 cm

TROIS FAUNES ( DYPTIQUE ), 165 x 228 cm

TROIS FAUNES ( DYPTIQUE ), 165 x 228 cm

UN FAUVE, 60 x 60 cm
 
SAGITTAIRE, 57 x 79 cm
 
ALLÉGRESSE, 102 x 103 cm
 
 FÉLICITÉ, 102 x 100 cm
 
BANANA ISLAND, 60 x 60 cm
 
LUCKY NUMBER, 60 x 60 cm
 
BOY ON A DATE, 60 x 60 cm
 
 COMMANDING BICEP, 60 x 60 cm
 
TEMPLE DU NU ( BLUE ), 178 x 178 cm
 
TEMPLE DU NU, 178 x 178 cm
 
LE CULTE DU SOLEIL, 60 x 40 cm
 
IN THE WINTER SUN, 60 x 40 cm
 
IN THE PALMGROVE, 140 x 140 cm
 
LOVE, 246 x 173 cm