Der Divan - Das Arabische Kulturhaus and ZMO invite you to the lecture
The People's Sculptor: The Porcelain Legacy of Hassan Heshmat
by Nadine Nour el Din
on Friday, 1 August 2025, 6 pm at Der Divan - Das Arabische Kulturhaus, Schützallee 27, 14169 Berlin
This talk explores the work of Egyptian sculptor Hassan Heshmat, contextualising his practice historically. It focuses on his use of porcelain—a radical medium for its time—to depict everyday life in Egypt, reflecting broader themes in his sculptural practice, including his engagement with national identity. Dubbed The People's Sculptor, Heshmat used accessible materials to create art that spoke to and for ordinary people. His museum in Cairo, housed in his former home, stands as a testament to his wide-ranging practice. Under the leadership of the Egyptian Fine Arts Sector, it remains one of a handful of artists' house museums in Egypt. In the context of this exhibition at the Divan, his legacy deserves a closer look today.
Nadine Nour el Din is a writer, curator, and art historian. She holds an MA in History of Art from The Courtauld, an MA in Arts Management and Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BA in Visual Arts from the American University in Cairo. Her work focuses on the arts and cultural production of the Arab world and wider region.
Schedule
• 6 pm: Lecture by Nadine Nour el Din (40 min.)
• Q&A (20 min.)
• 7 pm: Book presentation and introduction to Hassan Heshmat exhibition on site by the curators Katharina Maria Raab and Dr. Sonja Hegasy
The event will be hybrid. For on-site participation at the Divan, please register here:
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/vortrag-von-nadine-nour-el-din-zur-finissage-der-hassan-heshmat-ausstellung-tickets-1526679993959?aff=oddtdtcreator
To attend online via Zoom, please register here:
https://zfl-berlin-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/9YxLo1F3S6WJFwOFe7ewSg#/registration
Also check out other Arts events in Berlin, Exhibitions in Berlin, Meetups in Berlin.
