THE ETERNAL EYE exhibition was held in Cairo, Egypt in October of 2012, and showcased over 50 original contemporary Coptic icons by the renowned Egyptian icon writer, Magdy William. Curated by Jessica Wright, the exhibition fostered greater understanding of Egypt’s historic Coptic Orthodox Church and included a presentation by Magdy William on the making of icons and a lecture by Dr. Michael Jones of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) on the artistic restoration of ancient Coptic monasteries throughout Egypt.
THE ETERNAL EYE
CURATOR
Jessica Wright
Jessica Wright is a specialist in contemporary Middle Eastern art and an Arabist. She has been a gallerist and curator. She obtain her B.A. in Art History and Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. She was previously the gallery director and cultural coordinator for the Jerusalem Fund Gallery in Washington, DC, which focuses on exhibiting contemporary art from the Middle East, along with offering a full range of cultural programming She served previously as the Managing Editor at the Center for Public Justice, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. Jessica curated CARAVAN’s contemporary Coptic icon exhibition in Cairo titled “The Eternal Eye." She has lived in Jordan, Egypt, and Malaysia, and is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. She works as a freelance editor and consultant
ARTIST
Magdy William, a student under the late renowned Dr. Isaac Fanous, the founder of the school of modern Coptic icon writing (and the initiator of the modern renaissance in Coptic art), has been one of the world’s premier Coptic icon artists for several decades. In addition to his work beautifying countless churches throughout Egypt and around the world, he has held solo exhibitions in Europe and Australia.
His studio is located along the Nile in Maadi at the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George.
OPENING NIGHT
Opening Presentation--Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler (Patron), Bishop Daniel of Coptic Church, Jessica Wright (Curator) and Magdy William, artist
Official opening, cutting the ribbon, by Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Magdy William, Iconographer
Opening Presentation--Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler (Patron), Bishop Daniel of Coptic Church, Jessica Wright (Curator) and Magdy William, artist
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
Curator Jessica Wright and Magdy Williams, at lecture on the making of Coptic icons
The Making of Coptic Icons - Lecture by Magdy Williams
The Making of Coptic Icons- Lecture by Magdy Williams
Curator Jessica Wright and Magdy Williams, at lecture on the making of Coptic icons
Special presentations during the week of the exhibition included an event titled “The Making of Coptic Icons” by iconographer Magdy William.
A lecture was held by Dr. Michael Jones of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), titled “The Artistic Restoration of the 6th century Red Monastery: A Visual Presentation”.