The most straightforward way to remember an artist is through their artistic creations, which serve as their legacy. When it comes to Helmi El Touni, however, remembering his work is akin to remembering one’s own identity — his art is deeply intertwined with Egypt’s culture and history. When we remember his artwork, we are not just remembering him as an artist, we are also reconnecting with Egypt’s culture. Last Saturday, Egypt lost a cultural icon: Helmi El-Touni, a leading figure in Egyptian folkloric art. Renowned for pioneering a modern Arab aesthetic that challenged Western-centric designs, he is celebrated for his distinctive oil paintings of Egyptian women as well as his influential children’s book covers and illustrations. Many Arab homes displayed his illustrated books, even if they were rarely opened. The distinctive covers alone were prized as pieces of art or decorative elements. His book covers for renowned authors like Ihsan Abdel-Quddous and Anis Mansour, along with his illustrations for Hussein Ahmed Amin’s Alf Hekaya w Hekaya (One Thousand and One Tales, 1984) ensured his imagery was a familiar and enduring presence in Arab homes. He was part of a generation…
