Le Train (The Train)

This simple yet dramatic illustration of a train in motion, with billowing smoke, by the Egyptian artist Adam Henein exemplifies his visual expression beyond the realm of sculpture. Known for his passion for utilising ancient techniques, Henein frequently used trains as motifs in his works on papyrus, describing the medium in the 1980s as ‘part of the artworks’. The scene, in a muted palette of earthy colours, projects modern life in a playful, childlike manner while referencing themes of passage and transition. Other recurring motifs, such as animal figures, also appear, most visibly in the brown-red-and-black bird with outstretched wings above the centre of the train. This intricate detail symbolises movement, freedom and possibly the artist’s own spirit, creating an interplay between material and form. The combination of historical references and everyday imagery further connects this piece with Henein’s broader interest in Egyptian identity.