EGYPT DRAW JAM, 2025
Carl Kostyál, Luxor, Egypt
June 2025
Aker (God of the Horizon), 2025
The Nile
Exhibition of Drawings
From June 12 – 15 Carl Kostyál held its sixth Invitational Draw Jam at the Al Moudira in Luxor, Egypt. Proceeds from the sale of drawings from the Invitational Draw Jam this year will be donated to the Al Moudira Comprehensive Foundation Hager El Dabayah.
Participating artists include Jamie Adams, Rong Bao, Shane Berkery, Almendra Bertoni, Szabolcs Bozó, Salomé Chatriot, Julia De Ruvo, Callum Eaton, Camilla Engström, Gideon Horváth, Alexander James, Helena Margrét Jónsdóttir, Jure Kastelic, Jordy Kerwick, Hiroya Kurata, Austin Lee, Julian Lombardi, Gus Monday, Joakim Ojanen, Matthew Palladino, Elsa Rouy, and Felix Treadwell.
As the political, social and economic metropolis of the New Kingdom of Egypt at its zenith, Luxor flourished between the 16th and 11th century BCE. Known as the ”world’s greatest open-air museum”, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut.
The city is renowned for its spectacular temples, most notably the Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple. The Karnak Temple, the largest religious building ever constructed, was the centre of worship in Thebes and a symbol of Egypt’s grandeur. The Luxor Temple, situated on the Nile’s east bank, was the site of the Opet Festival, an important religious celebration.
Just across the river from the modern city lies the Valley of the Kings, an ancient necropolis where pharaohs and nobles were buried. The tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, is one of the most famous archaeological finds in history and brought worldwide attention to Luxor.
Throughout history, Luxor remained a focal point of Egypt’s cultural and religious identity, although it fell into decline following the collapse of the New Kingdom. Today, Luxor is a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors who come to marvel at its ancient wonders, including the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. The city continues to be an important site for archaeology and Egyptology, preserving the legacy of one of the world’s oldest civilisations.
Luxor’s Al Moudira moudira.com sits along the west bank of the Nile close to the Valley of the Kings and the site of ancient Thebes. In contrast to the vast expanses of desert surrounding Luxor, the palace was built next to a natural spring, giving life to 10 hectares of palm groves and exotic gardens. It was built using distinctive Egyptian architecture, with terracotta domes, handcrafted wooden furniture and painted glass from Alexandria.
ABOUT AL MOUDIRA COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION HAGER EL DABAYAH
Founded by Al Moudira Hotel with a mission to support the local community and villages around the hotel, primarily through grants to the village to use traditional buildings techniques to (re)build farmhouses in vernacular style and use traditional design and artistic elements on the private homes throughout the village.
The foundation helps care for the local environment by working the fields using only organic farming practices, as well as organising trash collection. Artisanry is supported as well, giving a home to many artisans from textile weavers to potters to carpenters, thereby supporting the longevity of these crafts. The scope of support also includes teaching the local children English, giving them skills to be able to work at Al Moudira/ in hospitality later or set off with the skillset into the wider world.
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