Reference Exhibition 2026 Features Dr. Cherine Osman’s “Words of Gold”
Art as Soul Nourishment: Dr. Cherine Osman’s Journey Between Medicine and Art
“Art is my soul nourishment. Being alive without art is like living without breathing.” — Dr. Cherine Osman
Dr. Cherine Osman is an Egyptian ophthalmologist, consultant, and passionate visual artist whose life reflects a unique harmony between medicine and art. Born on April 6, 1971, she has pursued both fields throughout her life, finding in artistic expression a source of inspiration, creativity, and emotional nourishment.
Dr. Osman graduated from Cairo University’s Faculty of Medicine in 1993. She subsequently obtained her postgraduate degrees in Ophthalmology, including an MSc and MD, followed by the FRCS in Ophthalmology in 2012. She has worked as an ophthalmology consultant at Kasr Al Ainy Hospitals since 1996, in addition to her work at BDEC (Bostan Diagnostic Eye Centre).
Alongside her medical career, art has remained a constant and deeply personal part of her life. Since childhood, she has experimented with different artistic techniques and materials, including glass, copper, aluminum, oil, pastel, pencil, charcoal, watercolor, dried flowers, and Arabic calligraphy. During her school years, she received an international age-based Kashafa drawing medal between 1980 and 1985. Later, during her medical internship, she attended a Fine Arts course in the free afternoon section in 1994/1995.
Her artistic journey has included both individual and group exhibitions in Egypt. Her exhibitions include a Rotary group exhibition at Gezira Sporting Club in 1988, several Gezira Club group exhibitions between 1988 and 1993, and her first solo exhibition at the Isis Room of Gezira Club in October 2001. She also participated in the “Pour Elle” exhibition in 2009, Swiss Club Christmas Bazaar exhibitions in 2010 and 2011, and the “Visions… Three Generations” exhibition at Salah Taher Hall, Cairo Opera House, in 2021.
More recently, Dr. Osman participated in several artistic and photography exhibitions, including “Printemps des Artistes” in May 2025 and “All of Us” at Villa Major, Zamalek, in 2025 and 2026. Her 2026 exhibitions also included the Gezira Club Golf Tournament exhibition, “El Bawaki,” “Colours & Melodies,” and a group exhibition at Villa Major. She is also participating in the upcoming “Reference” group exhibition at the Russian House in September 2026.
“Words of Gold” — A Dialogue Between Arabic Calligraphy and Contemporary Art
One of Dr. Osman’s featured artworks is titled “Words of Gold.” The work measures 80 × 60 cm and is created using acrylic paint.
The concept behind the artwork is the fusion of free-form Arabic calligraphy with visual art, creating a contemporary composition in which the beauty and expressive power of Arabic letters become an integral part of the painting.
For Dr. Osman, Arabic calligraphy is not simply a written form; it can also become a visual language. Through the movement of the letters, colors, and composition, the artwork explores the relationship between written words and visual expression.
Artwork: Words of Gold
Medium: Acrylic
Dimensions: 80 × 60 cm
Price: EGP 10,000
A Medical Career Enriched by Art
The connection between medicine and art is an important part of Dr. Osman’s identity. Her professional life is dedicated to ophthalmology and the science of vision, while her artistic practice allows her to explore another dimension of seeing—one based on imagination, emotion, color, and creativity.
Her journey demonstrates how a demanding medical career can coexist with a lifelong passion for the arts. Rather than separating the two worlds, Dr. Osman embraces both as complementary aspects of her identity.
She continues to explore different artistic techniques while developing her interest in Arabic calligraphy and visual art. In 2025, she also attended a course in Arabic calligraphy with artist Mohamed El-Shemy.
Dr. Cherine Osman’s Impression of the Exhibition
Describing her experience at the exhibition, Dr. Osman says:
“It is a different and constantly evolving exhibition, bringing together a diverse group of artists of different ages and backgrounds, from school students to engineers, pharmacists, and doctors.”
For her, this diversity creates an inspiring artistic environment in which different experiences, professions, generations, and artistic perspectives can meet.
Her Impression of “Beyond the Painting”
Commenting on the booklet “Beyond the Painting,” Dr. Osman describes it as:
“A beautiful idea created by a person with a media background who is hardworking and innovative. Wishing her all the best.”
The concept of looking beyond the artwork itself reflects the broader idea that every painting has a story, an experience, and a personal journey behind it.
For Dr. Cherine Osman, that journey moves naturally between medicine and art, between scientific observation and creative expression—and ultimately between seeing with the eyes and seeing through the soul.
Short CV
– Born on April 6, 1971.
– Attended French schools and graduated in 1987.
– Graduated from Cairo University Faculty of Medicine in 1993.
– Obtained postgraduate qualifications in Ophthalmology, including an MSc, MD, and FRCS in Ophthalmology.
– Attended a Fine Arts course in the free section in 1994.
– Studied Arabic calligraphy with Mohamed El-Shemy in 2025.
– Practicing ophthalmology as a consultant since 1996.
– Has participated in numerous solo and group art exhibitions from childhood to the present.
– Works in various media, including acrylic, oil, pastel, pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and Arabic calligraphy.
– Continues to combine her medical profession with her lifelong passion for visual art.
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«الفن هو غذاء روحي.. والحياة بدون فن كالحياة بدون تنفس»
د. شيرين عثمان
د. شيرين عثمان طبيبة استشاري طب وجراحة العيون وفنانة تشكيلية مصرية، تجمع في رحلتها بين عالم الطب وعالم الفن، حيث ظل الفن منذ طفولتها جزءًا أساسيًا من حياتها ومصدرًا للإلهام والتعبير.
وُلدت في ٦ أبريل ١٩٧١، والتحقت بمدارس فرنسية وتخرجت عام ١٩٨٧، ثم تخرجت في كلية طب القاهرة عام ١٩٩٣. حصلت على درجاتها العلمية في طب وجراحة العيون، بالإضافة إلى الزمالة البريطانية عام ٢٠١٢.
وبالتوازي مع مسيرتها الطبية، استمرت شيرين في ممارسة الفن باستخدام خامات وتقنيات متعددة، منها الزيت، الباستيل، الرصاص، الفحم، الألوان المائية، الأكريليك، إلى جانب أعمال الزهور المجففة والخط العربي.
ومن أعمالها المشاركة في العديد من المعارض الفردية والجماعية منذ طفولتها، وصولًا إلى مشاركاتها الحديثة خلال عامي ٢٠٢٥ و٢٠٢٦.
«كلام من ذهب»
من أعمالها المشاركة في المعرض لوحة «كلام من ذهب»، وهي لوحة أكريليك بمقاس ٨٠ × ٦٠ سم، تقوم فكرتها على مزج الخط العربي الحر مع الفن التشكيلي في تكوين بصري يجمع بين جمال الحرف والتعبير الفني المعاصر.
الخامة: أكريليك
المقاس: ٨٠ × ٦٠ سم
السعر: ١٠,٠٠٠ جنيه مصري
عن المعرض
تصف د. شيرين عثمان تجربتها في المعرض قائلة:
«معرض مختلف ومتجدد من نخبة من الفنانين المختلفين في أعمارهم وأعمالهم، من طلاب مدرسة إلى مهندسين وصيادلة وأطباء.»
أما عن كتيب «ما وراء اللوحة» فتقول:
«فكرة جميلة لشخصية ذات خلفية إعلامية، مجتهدة ومبتكرة. بالتوفيق.»
