Sami Salem

I was born in Alexandria (Egypt) in 1963 and graduated from the faculty of Political and Economic Sciences of the University of Cairo in 1984. I entered the diplomatic service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a year later and served in Egyptian Embassies in London, Santiago de Chile, Berlin, New Delhi, Montevideo and Bogotá. I currently work as the Ambassador of Egypt to Colombia.
My first trials in the technique of pastel were realized in 1987 in London after attending a weekend workshop with the British artist Colin Bradley in Broadstairs, Kent. He inspired me to continue developing my artistic talents in this field. Later on I started to practice with acrylics although the major part of my artwork is still in pastel medium.

Training Courses:
•1987: “Colin Bradley” Workshop, Broadstairs – Kent, England.
•1993: Extension course on “Drawing Faces”, School of Art – Catholic University of Chile, Santiago de Chile.
•2014: Courses on drawing and painting with Professor Alberto Alari – ALARTE, Montevideo, Uruguay.
•2019: Traditional drawing course – Academia de Artes Fábula, Bogotá, Colombia.

Group-Exhibitions:
•October 1993: 8th encounter of painters of Arab origin in the Palestinian Club, Santiago de Chile.
•May 1995: The Autumn Salon of the National Society of Fine Arts, Santiago de Chile.
•June 1995: 9th encounter of painters of Arab origin in the Palestinian Club, Santiago de Chile.
•March 2007: Exhibition “An Eye on India” by francophone artists of Delhi – Francophone Week, Alliance Française, New Delhi, India.
•April 2007:"The Art People Show 2007”, All India Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings & Photographs by Eminent and Young Artists – Travancore Art Gallery, Travancore House, New Delhi, India.
•October 2007: Exhibition "Tales of Textures", Travancore House & Art Elements Gallery, New Delhi, India.
•December 2008: Exposition "India Through My Eyes", Dhoomimal's City Gallery, New Delhi, India.
•January 2009: Exhibition "Indo-Arab Art Collarge", M. F. Husain Art Gallery – Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
•May 2009: Art display “Hues in Myriads”, Open Palm Court – Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India.
•October 2009: Exhibition “Artouch”, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India.
•December 2009: Art exhibition “Metaphoric Shifts & New Imagery”, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India.
•January 2010: Music a...