Location: Canada
Mohsen Rifaat , BSc. (Arch), MSc (Pl).
Mohsen was born in Egypt and grew up in an artistic household where he was deeply influenced by the work of his mother, Fatma Rifaat the late celebrated Egyptian aquarelliste.
A resident of Canada in Canada since 1968, he holds degrees in architecture from Cairo University, and Urban Planning from the University of Toronto, and has enjoyed a wide-ranging career, which has taken him to many far-away places. Although he spent much of his professional life in the business, government and diplomatic worlds, Mohsen has never been long removed from his love of art. In recent years, he has specialized in watercolour renderings ranging from buildings and structures to still life and landscapes.
In Egypt he was a young student of the Egyptian masters Hidayet and Fathi. In addition to courses at the Art gallery of Ontario, Mohsen studied in Canada with a number of instructors, including Merv Richards and Doug Mays.
The Eclektika Gallery in Collingwood, Ontario; Opal Gallery in Purley, England; The Cairo Opera House, Egypt and Atelier RZLBD are amongst the galleries that have exhibited his work.
Mohsen's architectural training comes alive with his mastery of bold watercolour brushstrokes and renderings. While structures and perspectives are accurately sketched, they evoke a relaxed and suggestive mood energized with the vibrant use of colour. His inspired attention to detail enhances the clarity and realistic representation which contrast harmoniously with the masterful use of watercolour that releases the essence from the form.
In this series of watercolours, Mohsen walks the viewer through fragments of familiar streets, inviting them to rediscover Toronto's urban energy.
www.mywatercolour.com
“ Streetscapes”
“Traffic Lights”
“Blue Mountain Ski Resort”
“Barn Window”
“Marina”
