"I have come to understand imagination as the re-composition and re-arrangement of reality. We do not create or manufacture out of nothing; rather, we reorder details in our own way, primarily for the purposes of storytelling and documentation.
Now, I tell the story after years of hiding it... For in the beginning, and until now; the story remains."
Salam Yousry
Cairo International Film Festival, 2025, by Leila Magdy,
Zigzag, Pastels on paper, 150X150cm, 2019
HALS concert, Rawabet Theater, 2023
Before the others arrive, a film by Salam Yousry, 2025
SALAM YOUSRY
Multidisciplinary artist Based in Cairo, Egypt
An interdisciplinary artist merging painting, filmmaking, and performance. Founder of The Choir Project and Al-Tamy Theater Group, recognized for inaugurating Cairo's independent theater spaces and exhibiting visual art internationally.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) | Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University, Egypt, 2004.
Ranked First in Class; Excellent with Honors.
Secondary Certificate | Collège Des Frères (Bab El Louk), Cairo, 1999.
SELECTED VISUAL ARTS (PAINTING)
Solo Exhibitions
2026: The Search, Al-Itihad Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE. (upcoming in April)
2025: Clockwise, TAM Art Gallery, Cairo.
2022–2023: Docu-Fiction, Access Art Space (formerly Townhouse), Cairo.
2022: 40, Art-Talks, Cairo.
2021: Singular, SOMA Art, Cairo.
2020: Voyeur, Access Art Space, Cairo.
2017: Tale Detail, Galleria Soul, El-Gouna, Egypt.
Acquisitions
Barjeel Art Foundation (2021).
Cairo Opera House: Portrait of singer Ratiba El Hefny (2002).
Private collections in Egypt, France, Netherlands, USA, and Canada.
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
2025: Before The Others Arrive (Documentary: Director/Editor/Producer)
2018: Dreamaway (Co-director/Actor) | German-Egyptian Co-production.
2018: The Wardrobe Man (Cinematographer) | dir. Bassem Yousri.
2022: À quatre mains (Director/Editor).
2022: Wa'awa'a Song (Music Video: Director/Writer/Producer).
2021: One Sentence... Full Song (Musical Dance Film: Director/Editor).
2017–2020: Aidez-moi à terminer le film (Interactive Film: Performer/Director).
THEATER & PERFORMANCE
The Choir Project (2010–Present): Founder and Artistic Director.
Collective creation performances in 20+ cities around the world.
Al-Tamy Theater Group (2002–2013): Founder and Manager.
Historical Impact: Inaugurated Rawabet Theater (2006), Al-Sakia (2003) and Townhouse Factory Space (2002) with original plays.
TEACHING & MENTORSHIP
Mentor: Digital Residency, Goethe Institut, Cairo (2020–2021).
Teacher: Collective Creation & Vocal, CCDC-MAAT (2018–2019).
Workshops: Conducted collective creation workshops in 15+ countries, including Germany, France, Azerbaijan, UK (SOAS), and USA.
JURY & ADVISORY ROLES
Jury: British Council Digital Collaboration Fund (2020).
Selection Committee: Hakawy Theater Festival (2020).
Nominator: Aga Khan Music Awards (2018).
Jury: British Council Fund for Arts (2012–2015).
SKILLS & LANGUAGES
Languages: Fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Software Proficiency: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator.