The Nasser Era and Om Kalsoum

hant Avedissian's mixed-media works depict popular culture figures such as Yakan, who was a famous soccer player of the 1950s, Dave Johns, who became Mr. America in 1977 and Mr. Universe in 1978. In this work, the artist portrays Egypt's first president Gamal Abdel Nasser (left), and his famous supporter, the legendary diva Om Kalsoum (right). The repeated images of women and men represent Kalsoum's followers, and one can presume that the couple in the car is listening to one of her love songs. The script below means "travel and see" and refers to Kalsoum's travels throughout the Arab world spreading Nasser's message of unity. The crescent moon and star pattern stenciled on the narrow border reinforces this message as they are found on many contemporary Islamic flags.

Avedissian's artworks evoke an Egyptian experience that is both cosmopolitan and complicated. The artist manipulates fabric, cardboard and stencils to create layered, moveable and purposefully ephemeral works that celebrate the central role of visual imagery in shaping personal histories and collective culture.

Chant Avedissian
b. 1951, Egypt
The Nasser Era and Om Kalsoum
c. 1994
Mixed media on corrugated cardboard, cloth
Purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program,
96-20-11, 96-20-3.2, 96-20-3.1, 96-20-3.3, 96-20-4.1, 96-20-4.3, 96-20-10