Gamal El-Sagini (Arabic: جمال السجيني) (January 7, 1917 – November 19, 1977) was an Egyptian sculptor, painter and medalist. Childhood and Education Born on January 7, 1917, in Bab El Shaaria, a poor suburb of Cairo, Egypt, El-Sagini discovered his passion for art at a very early age where he grew fond of the architectural nature of old Cairo such as domes, mosques and Islamic architecture which led him in 1934 to join the sculpture department at the First school of Fine Arts founded by prince Youssef Kamal. Guided and mentored by great artists teaching sculpture in Cairo at the time, El-Sagini earned his diploma in sculpture in 1938. El Sagini traveled to Paris at his own expense to pursue higher studies where he was greatly affected by English sculptor Henry Moore who was best known for his abstract technique and reclining figures. El Sagini followed this in 1947 by traveling to Rome to resume his post graduate studies where he received a diploma in Sculpture and Medal Arts in 1950. His Message El-Sagini reflected his thoughts of a better future for his country Egypt through his work and he summarized his reason in life through "The Will" (Hammered copper relief-33x28cm-1954) where he pictured himself – like in the times of pharaohs – in his grave surrounded by all the things he stood for and cherished during his lifetime such as love, hope, art and music. On the headstone he wrote the following words that describe his life and what he stood for: Gamal El Sagini, Son of Abdel Wahab El Sagini, Born January 7th 1917 Lived For His Society, An Enemy of Exploitation and Slavery A Strong Believer in Freedom and Peace Egypt Constantly concerned with his home country's issues, El-Sagini featured Egypt in most of his works expressing hope, encouragement, disappointment or just pure unconditional love. Introducing symbolism in Egyptian sculpture, El-Sagini used different symbols of Egypt during times of joy, despair, victory and defeat. In the period 1952-1967, following the Egyptian revolution of 1952, Egypt played a leading role in the Arab world under the leadership of Egyptian president and revolutionary icon Gamal Abdel Nasser. The Egyptian revolution was a spark that triggered what turned out to be a series of independence revolutions in the Arab world. In his statue "Egypt My Mother Land" (Bronze- 40x30x 10 cm-1957) El-Sagini symbolized Egypt as the giving mother of the