This week, a gathering of distinguished figures from the world of art and culture converged in the Siwa Oasis, located in Egypt’s remote western desert, to mark the opening of a private museum dedicated to the remarkable work of Peter Beard, the celebrated American photographer who passed away in. Notable attendees included King Frederik X of Denmark, Prince Muhammad Ali of Egypt, and various artists and dignitaries, showcasing the event’s international appeal.
The four-day event was organized by Beard’s daughter, Zara Beard, and the Estate of Peter Beard. It commenced with a vibrant cocktail reception and a moonlit dinner, culminating in a candlelit ceremony to unveil the museum. Guests enjoyed their stay at the Adrere Amellal Ecolodge, a unique hand-built retreat that boasts 40 off-grid luxury rooms constructed from local materials like salt and clay, reflecting a commitment to sustainability with no electricity or plastic, and meals sourced from local farms.
The facts
The museum, officially known as Eye of the Desert: The Peter Beard Museum Siwa, was conceived by Dr. Mounir Neamatalla, a visionary dedicated to sustainable development and cultural preservation. As the founder of Environmental Quality International (EQI), Neamatalla has promoted eco-tourism and safeguarded historical sites across Africa and the Middle East since 1981.
A historical backdrop
Siwa Oasis, located an eight-hour drive from Cairo, is steeped in ancient history, believed to have been inhabited since the 10th millennium BC. The oasis is referenced in historical texts, including those of Herodotus in his work, The Histories, composed around 430 BC. Most famously, it is home to the ruins of the Oracle of Amun temple, an essential site visited by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, highlighting its historical significance.
Peter Beard’s connection to Egypt
Beard shared a profound bond with Egypt, a passion nurtured alongside his friend, the British painter Francis Bacon. Beard viewed Egypt as a crucial element of African culture and history. In his diaries, he expressed that the essence of Egypt was deeply intertwined with influences from the Land of Punt, which includes regions such as Somalia and Sudan. Beard wrote, “So much came into Egypt from the Land of Punt. you can see it in the art here.”
Reflections on memory and beauty
In a catalogue essay for the museum’s launch, Wills Baker, curator and senior advisor of the Peter Beard Studio, elaborates on Beard’s perspective of Egypt. He stated, “For Beard, Egypt was not the origin, but a vessel through which older African wisdom still flows.” Beard’s evocative photographs of hieroglyphs, Luxor ruins, mummified crocodiles, and skulls serve as a testament to a memory-laden narrative that honors nature’s transparency.
A legacy of beauty and responsibility
Beard’s introduction to Dr. Neamatalla came through the esteemed archaeologist Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian antiquities minister and family friend. This connection led to memorable family trips to Siwa and other Egyptian locales in 2001. Zara Beard reflects on her father’s approach to travel in her text for the museum catalogue, describing him as a witness rather than a conqueror, captivated by beauty that teetered on the edge of oblivion.
She writes, “My father was fascinated by everything: the palimpsest of civilizations, the carved stones still half-buried in sand, the exquisite ruins. To him, beauty was inseparable from time.” This philosophy is echoed in the museum itself, constructed from Siwa mud and serving as a tribute to Beard’s life and artistic vision.
The museum’s collection features Beard’s iconic photographs, enhanced with hand-painted borders by the Hog Ranch Art Department, a group of Kenyan artists connected to Beard’s home near the Ngong Hills. One gallery showcases his personal diaries, which serve as artwork in their own right, while another displays cherished family memories.
Ultimately, the Peter Beard Museum aims to honor his legacy and solidify the belief that beauty and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously. As a significant figure in 20th-century art, Beard’s insight into the intricate relationship between humanity and nature remains influential.
The four-day event was organized by Beard’s daughter, Zara Beard, and the Estate of Peter Beard. It commenced with a vibrant cocktail reception and a moonlit dinner, culminating in a candlelit ceremony to unveil the museum. Guests enjoyed their stay at the Adrere Amellal Ecolodge, a unique hand-built retreat that boasts 40 off-grid luxury rooms constructed from local materials like salt and clay, reflecting a commitment to sustainability with no electricity or plastic, and meals sourced from local farms.0
The four-day event was organized by Beard’s daughter, Zara Beard, and the Estate of Peter Beard. It commenced with a vibrant cocktail reception and a moonlit dinner, culminating in a candlelit ceremony to unveil the museum. Guests enjoyed their stay at the Adrere Amellal Ecolodge, a unique hand-built retreat that boasts 40 off-grid luxury rooms constructed from local materials like salt and clay, reflecting a commitment to sustainability with no electricity or plastic, and meals sourced from local farms.1