Fields and Village on the Nile

This landscaped hand-woven tapestry depicts a view that is changing due to modernisation in Egypt. Abdou is part of the Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Centre which was set up to revitalize traditional crafts and techniques by reintroducing them to modern-day life. The weavers are now producing beautiful original works inspired by the Egyptian countryside. This tapestry enhances the existing ethnographic collection at the museum, particularly the large Arabic collection which includes a few other contemporary pieces. The museum intends to display this work in the Islam and the Arab World gallery opening in 2011 where it will contribute significantly to themes such as identity and cultural change. The Art Fund has helped Nature in Art in Gloucester acquire another tapestry from the same Centre.