Kamel El-Telmissany

Kamel el-Telmissany (1915-1972) was an Egyptian artist and filmmaker most commonly associated with the Cairo-based Art et Liberté Group. He was one of the group's founding members along with Georges Henein and Ramses Younan. His nephew is the famed Egyptian cinematographer Tarek el-Telmissany.

Early life and education Kamel el-Telmissany was born, in 1915, into a poor family in Al-Qalyubiya, north of Cairo. In 1925, his family moved to Cairo after he completed his primary school education. He lived in several places within Cairo such as Helwan, el-Saliba and Giza. He then entered the el-Saidia Secondary School and, in 1930, received his baccalaureate degree. However, while in school he became interested in the arts and began drawing under the instruction of professor Youssef el-Afifi, the school's drawing teacher. Drawing remained only a hobby while he was enrolled in The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for five years, "during which he failed more than once." His painting career is described as being short lived, spanning only ten years which corresponds to his time as a member of Art and Liberty. "Al-Souq al-Sawda’ was a rare departure from the usual romantic stories or comedic farces of the time." As a result of its box office failure and controversial message, it was banned from theatres for nearly four years.