East West Dialogue: The Shafik Gabr Collection

I was fortunate to attend the New York premier of Shafik Gabr's orientalist collection, and panel discussion on East West dialogue. The opening was at the Met's Temple of Dendur.

Taken from the website,which provides a clear summation,  the initiative will sponsor exchanges between young and mid career Middle Eastern and Western leaders in the arts, science, sports, media and both social and business entrepreneurship.

The exchanges are designed to provide unique insights for participants into their respective societies, and a basis for developing professional and personal relationships across cultures.

Mr Gabr drew his inspiration for the initiative from his experience as an Egyptian whose world view was transformed by travel and the friendships and lessons that resulted.

He has also been inspired by the experiences of the Orientalist traveller painters, the artists whose work he has been collecting for over twenty years.

The initiative will be launched at a series of panel discussions held in London, Washington, New York, Paris, Istanbul and Cairo – accompanied by the publication of a new book Masterpieces of Orientalist Art: The Shafik Gabr Collection. for more information.