Global Heshmat — Following Hassan Heshmat around the world

Fathy Mahmud (1918–1982) was an Egyptian sculptor and ceramicist following in the footsteps of Mahmoud Mokhtar. He completed his studies in sculpture at the Faculty of Applied Arts in 1938 and later moved to France, where he continued to work in sculpture and ceramics. Mahmoud founded his own ceramics and earthenware factory in the 1940s. His most famous work is probably the Talaat Harb Monument installed in 1954. Mahmud played a significant role in the development of public sculpture and industrial ceramics in modern Egypt, combining monumental art with applied design and mass production. He can be regarded as Heshmat’s main contender. Both artists use the motto ‘Art for the millions’ to explain their approach. This idea much later gave rise to his Egyptian German Porcelain Company, though Mahmoud did not live to see its opening.