Artist Nora Zeid's 'Cairo Illustrated' Exhibition Animates the City

Moving between Dubai’s contemporary symmetry seemingly built overnight, and Cairo’s oversaturated public spaces packed with layers of history, visual artist and illustrator Nora Zeid always found herself fascinated by the contrast in urban environments. To deal with the sensory overload of life in Cairo, Zeid took to illustration to better understand this almost timeless capital.

“The people are an essential part of the space, you can’t tell a story of a city without speaking to the people living there,” Zeid tells CairoScene. “And so in my research oriented projects, I conduct interviews, and whenever something interests me, I document it then illustrate it.”

Her first solo exhibition in Egypt, ‘Cairo Illustrated’, launched on October 23rd at Cairopolitan, a product design shop and art gallery in Downtown Cairo. Through separate rooms, light projections and music, Zeid’s version of Cairo comes to life, spotlighting its buildings’ facades, street vendors, narrow alleyways and power dynamics. “I wanted to create an installation that people can interact with and feel like they’re part of, which is why the light installation felt like an essential part of the exhibition,” Zeid explains.

Zeid studied visual communication at the American University in Sharjah, and found solace in drawing since she was a child. She then became an independent illustrator after quitting her full time job as a graphic designer, which she believed was only possible after proving herself with long, consistent work.

“I worked a nine-to-five, and almost everyday I would work on my personal projects for hours at night,” Zeid tells CairoScene. “Being an expat definitely affected my work because whenever I come back to Cairo, it’s shocking because Dubai is very different and everything is relatively new.”

The illustrator displays her love for the city’s details along with her own artistic style’s growth, with pieces years apart hung next to each other. Zeid would delightfully explain the differences found over time to gallery visitors, pointing to her favourite pieces like ‘Facade in Roxy Square’ and ‘Somewhere in Aswan Street’.

‘Cairo Illustrated’ will run at Cairopolitan until November 13th.