Aya Tarek

Aya Tarek (Arabic: آية طارق‎) is an Egyptian artist from the city of Alexandria.^[1] Tarek's mediums are primarily street art or graffiti and paint. Although street art in Egypt gained much international attention after the 2011 revolution, Tarek began sharing her street art on the walls of Alexandria in 2008, when she was 18.^[2]

Career

Tarek is seen by many as the first serious street artist in Egypt.^[3][4]

She has been featured in and produced several independent films, including a film by Ahmed Abdallah called Microphone, which explores Alexandria’s art scene.^[2][5] In one of her own pieces, "How to Fuck Your Mind", Tarek portrays a graffiti artist’s instant rise and fall from fame. The animated film includes Tarek’s personal experiences with the media and how have affected her.^[6] An outspoken critic, Tarek uses multiple art venues that center on graffiti to express her views and share them with others in public spaces. She explains her philosophy, asserting that graffiti "is not about being rich, or having a secluded space."^[2] Tarek has a strong following on Facebook and several Egyptian-based blogs.

In the fall of 2012, Tarek participated in an exhibition in Beirut called White Wall, which brought together graffiti artists from all over the world.^[7] The exhibit was organized by the Beirut Art Center in partnership with Foundation Saradar and featured an exhibit at the Beirut Art Center and works displayed on the streets of Beirut.^[8]

See also

• Contemporary Art in Egypt

References