Dexter Navy presents solo show 'Redux' , an Egypt between imagination and reality at Frieze Gallery
English-Egyptian photographer Dexter Navy presents 'Redux', his solo exhibition on show at the Frieze Gallery in London through September 29th.
Offering more than just a return to his ancestral land, 'Redux' is an ongoing rediscovery that blends personal insights with broader cultural reflections.
Navy portrays Egypt as a realm that has long inhabited his dreams—a place where the boundaries between imagination and reality blur. Reflecting on his childhood, he recalls vivid, dreamlike images of the country, saying, “Imagine discovering a world that mirrors your imagination. Now imagine revisiting that world in a dream, where it seamlessly connects with the present reality.” For him, Egypt is not merely the birthplace of dreams, but where those dreams come to life. His photography captures this sense of magical realism, depicting Egypt's landscapes—whether ancient or modern—through a psychedelic, imaginative lens shaped by his personal vision.
'Imagine discovering a world that mirrors your imagination. Now imagine revisiting that world in a dream, where it seamlessly connects with the present reality.'
As an interdisciplinary artist, Navy’s work spans multiple mediums, including photography, film, collage, and lenticular art. Straddling the line between fashion photography and fine art, he provides a nuanced depiction of Egypt, blending his own perspective with those of his subjects. This fusion captures the spirit of the country in ways that resonate on both a personal and universal level, inviting the viewer into Dexter Navy’s unique world.
'It’s my personal diary, preserving memories that I can revisit.'
Navy’s photographs go beyond being mere visual records of his travels—they act as diary entries, intimate glimpses into a life that transcends both time and space, capturing the essence of being Egyptian. “Everything I create is for myself,” he notes. “It’s my personal diary, preserving memories that I can revisit.” His journey across Egypt—from Aswan in the deep south to Basyoun in the north, his father’s birthplace—unfolds in these raw, unfiltered snapshots, reflecting deeply personal experiences.
See 'REDUX' at FRIEZE No.9 Cork Street London 26-29 September 2024
