Shaker El Maadawy (1944–2011) was born in a small village called “Ma’diyat El Mahdi” in Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt. He was a renowned artist known for his unique and expressive aquarelle works. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alexandria in 1967 and further studied in Italy, receiving a higher diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome in 1978. El Maadawy taught at the Faculty of Art in Kafr El-Sheikh in 1998.

Since his death, El Maadawy's work has become more prominent across the art scene, with growing recognition for his subtle and complex watercolor technique. His art blends reality and myth, often featuring landscapes, abstract and figurative elements, with a focus on feminine figures set in dreamlike environments. His work has gained growing recognition both in Egypt and internationally, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.