By Dmitrii Mkhonian
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1989, Aya Tarek is a painter, and a multidisciplinary artist with an exciting portfolio of diverse art projects, feature films, and art collaborations that draw international acclaim in major cities from Sao Paolo to Frankfurt. Experimentation is at the forefront of Tarek's current artistic endeavors. Through innovative mediums such as virtual reality and the discovery of fresh forms of studio painting, Tarek seeks to use her experience as an artist to revisit her roots in classical training and push herself in new, unexplored directions.
Tarek's 2018 Geneva mural commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights featuring Omar Sharif.
Tarek has showcased her artwork in various museums, galleries, and festivals around the world. A selection of which are; RSH Street Art Festival, Ryadh
(2023), La Condition Publique, Roubaix (2022), Nowhere Gallery, New York City (2022), Art D’Egypt, Cairo (2021), B’sarya for Arts, Alexandria (2020), Shelter Art Space, Alexandria (2020), HCC Dale Mabry Campus, Tampa (2019), Antigel Festival, Geneva (2018), Gypsum Gallery, Cairo (2017), University of South Florida, Florida (2016), Afreaka Festival, Sao Paulo (2016), USF Contemporary Art Museum, Florida (2015), Urban Art Biennale, Weltkulturerbe Völklinger Hütte, Völklingen (2015), Itinerrance Gallery, Djerba (2014), Theatre RMPH, Stuttgart (2014), Cityleaks, Cologne (2013), Beirut Art Centre, Beirut (2012), Arabic Graffiti & Egyptian Street Art in Frankfurt, Frankfurt (2012), Ankh Project, ITP Berlin (2011), Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah (2011), Alexandria Contemporary Art Forum, Alexandria (2010), Townhouse Gallery, Cairo (2009). She is also a recipient of several residencies, including the Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris in France, Prohelvetcia Artist in Residence in Switzerland and Artist in Resident Show at the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation in Italy.