Today’s article in the Cairo Al-Areeba newspaper, published by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, is written by the artist and writer/critique writer, Professor Hiba Fakri. Thank you for this brilliant dialogue. I am grateful to her and to the esteemed critic, Fatima Ali, for your interest in including readers in aspects of the journey of life and art.
On the occasion of the selection of the Egyptian visual artist Hala Shafie as a member of the International Jury in October 2026 in the field of pastel, and as part of the (Pastel 100) competition organized by the Pastel Journal, a specialized magazine, and on the occasion of the acceptance of one of her works in the seventeenth exhibition of the professors’ circle in the International Pastel Association for this month as well… we had this dialogue with her…
From the halls of economics and development to the world of pastel, for every soul with a story that is one of a kind, and for every human being, there is a way to discover themselves and shape their legend, Hala Shafie is one of those exceptional stories.
She has spent 25 years in the field of economic and human development, moving between the halls of international development organizations, before another journey, more intimate and spiritual, opened before her 14 years ago; the journey of art with the softness of pastel.
She is known in Egypt and abroad for an unmistakable fingerprint, and for her unique style in this field, which she has specialized in. She has become one of the few globally who use it in a minimalist way. Hala Shafei has organized many solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions. She has won twenty-four international awards and her works have been published in several international art publications. She has been elected a member of the American and British Pastel Societies, and a member of the International Pastel Artists’ Association Council. In Egypt, she plays a role in public cultural work, and participates in the membership of the Pastel Arts Sector Committees and the Cultural Development Fund, and is currently a member of the Pastel Arts Committee in the Supreme Council of Culture. She teaches at the American Pastel Society, and has participated as an international judge in Pastel International Exhibitions and Competitions. She was awarded the Excellence Award for Pastel Artists’ Graduates by the American University of Cairo in 2025.
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