Mohamed Abla

In 1978, Abla embarked on a seven-year scholastic trip to Europe.^[3] Abla's work was showcased for the first time in a solo exhibition at the Hohmann Gallery in northern Germany in 1979, and at the AAI Gallery in Vienna.^[3] In 1981, he studied graphics and sculpture at the Arts and Industries College in Zürich, Switzerland.^[3] Abla then studied graphics in Austria the following year.^[2]

In 1985, Abla won First Prize at the 'Cairo seen by artists' exhibition.^[1]

In 1996, Abla won the first prize in Kuwait Biennale and the Grand Prix at the Alexandria Biennale in 1997.^[1] Shortly after, in October 1998, he lost most of his work after his atelier caught fire.^[1]

In 2007, Abla founded The Fayoum Art Center, a space for artists to meet, work and collaborate.^[3] The center is inspired by the International Summer Academy in Salzburg where Alba teaches.^[4] It is located by Lake Qarun in Fayoum, and is surrounded by mountains, sand dunes and palm trees.^[4] It is also close to Wadi Elrayan waterfall and the paleontological site Wadi Al-Hitan, which have inspired scenic artists.^[4]

In 2009, Abla established the first caricature museum in the Middle East.^[3] The museum is situated in the Tunis artist colony in Fayoum, and houses a wide collection of local newspaper and magazine cartoons dating back to the early twentieth century.^[5] Its buildings were donated by Abla and designed by Egyptian architect Adel Fahmy.^[5]

In 2022, Abla received the Goethe Medal, which he later returned in March 2024.^[6][7]