Yehia Abouelnaga
Professional Paper Artist
Yehia Abouelnaga, the 'Paper Pan,' emerges as a distinguished artist whose creations weave a tapestry of nostalgia and yearning, profoundly shaped by the echoes of exile and separation. His artistic journey took an unexpected twist as he unraveled the threads of his family's rich artistic history, deeply entrenched in paper making and art.
The exploration led him to the enchanting world of Japanese washi paper, a domain of natural materials demanding years of dedication to master. Yehia's upbringing in a family immersed in the art of handmade paper for over three decades unwittingly sowed the seeds of fascination for this ancient craft.
A transformative journey to Japan at the tender age of eight, accompanying his family, became a pivotal chapter, unveiling the secrets of washi paper.
This transformative encounter left an enduring imprint on Yehia's visual identity, sculpting his artistic vision to the present day. Fueled by a dream to create a distinctive artistic legacy reflecting his odyssey and his family's artistic heritage, he devoted himself to mastering this craft with unwavering commitment.
Yehia's artistic alchemy involves metamorphosing paper pulp into a liquid colorant, enabling seamless dyeing and refinement. The liquid paper as it dries, metamorphoses into a unique sheet of paper, empty of chemicals and deemed safe for both children and professionals alike. His project hailed for innovation, has resonated widely, invoking profound joy and transporting adults back to their childhoods through potent nostalgia. In these moments, Yehia finds validation that he treads the right path, where his art flows from the heart, communicating without the need for words or explanations.
With each stroke, Yehia crafts a distinct artistic identity that stands alone—an authentic expression impossible to replicate, even by the artist himself. His work encapsulates the essence of yearning, nostalgia, and the transformative power of art to transcend boundaries, evoking emotions that bind us all together.