Britt Boutros-Ghali
Britt Boutros-Ghali, an artist with an establishes international reputation, follows in the tradition of the abstract expressionist and color-field such as Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell, beginning in the 1950s.
Born in 1937 in Svolvaer, Norway, Britt’s formative years were profoundly shaped by the stark contrasts of light and darkness defining her childhood landscape, as well as the forces of harsh weather and the pervasive shadow of World War II. These intense existential and environmental influences have indelibly informed her artistic sensibility and creative expression.
Her art, rooted in a rich visual language cultivated over decades of living and working in Egypt, serves as a compelling counterpoint, deeply reflective of cultural complexity and expressive depth, bringing a unique and authentic perspective into the broader conversation of modern art beyond our hemisphere.
Boutros-Ghali, the esteemed Norwegian abstract expressionist, has dedicated the past five decades to residing and creating amidst Egypt’s vibrant cultural landscape, becoming an integral figure within its artistic community. Her oeuvre, marked by luminous colors and monumental, dynamic compositions, draws profound inspiration from Egypt’s rich,multifaceted heritage. Utilizing the principles of action painting, her work synthesizes intricate spontaneity, resulting in evocative compositions that transcend mere aesthetics to evoke emotional and spiritual resonance.
The artist splits her time between Cairo and Egypt’s North Coast, approximately twenty kilometers west of Alexandria, maintaining studios in both locales. Her residence and atelier function as a sanctuary, richly imbued with intricate mosaics and murals inspired by regional influences. It serves as a cultural place where local artists, collectors, and connoisseurs of the exceptional frequently convene, while art enthusiasts from across the globe travel to engage with her work and experience her artistic environment firsthand.
Since her inaugural exhibition in Paris in 1962, Britt Boutros-Ghali’s work has been showcased on an international stage, with her creations residing in numerous public and private collections. In 1996, she was honored with the distinguished St. Olav’s Order, Norway’s highest accolade for artistic excellence, conferred by King Harald in recognition of her profound cultural and creative contributions. More recently, in 2023, she received a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Egyptian National Council for Women, a testament to her enduring influence and significant impact within her adopted homeland.
