Egypt Street Art: Young painter lights up electricity boxes with colourful graffiti

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02:26

Street art is a worldwide phenomenon. It draws in all kinds of budding artists. Some decorate walls to showcase their own personal designs; others to make a political statement. But, as Yasser Hakim reports, one young Egyptian isn't painting walls but electricity boxes.

Electricity boxes are a common sight on the streets of Cairo, especially in residential areas.

YASSER HAKIM CAIRO, EGYPT "The grey boxes of various sizes are easily spotted. They're often dilapidated, but are still essential for electricity maintenance."

Ahmed Hassanein has taken it upon himself to give them a face-lift.

AHMED HASSANEIN STREET ARTIST "I began painting the walls in my neighbourhood. But I found the electricity boxes so ugly that I started painting the ones near my home. People liked it so I did more of them."

Hassanein's job at the Ministry of Housing sends him on assignment to remote areas. And wherever he goes, he takes his passion with him.

AHMED HASSANEIN STREET ARTIST "I've been to the desert city of Toushka and to Luxor in Upper Egypt, Aswan and Shorouk outside Cairo. I paint the electricity boxes in my free time. I've painted 150 in Shorouk city alone."

Officials in the housing ministry have commended Hassanein's artwork and are encouraging him to keep at it.

AHMED HASSANEIN STREET ARTIST "The managers of our branches nationwide are now allowing their employees to paint like I am doing here -- even providing them with the tools. The paintings cheer up people. They tell me it puts them in a good mood on their way to work or school every day."

It's a simple but creative idea and the 28-year-old has more in the pipeline.

AHMED HASSANEIN STREET ARTIST "I would like to establish an institution that brings artists together to decorate neighbourhoods all over the country. We would be doing our part to make Egypt more beautiful and make people happy."

Yasser Hakim, CGTN, Cairo, Egypt.