Biography

The work of painter Tamara Al Samerraei is often based on photographs from both her personal archive and the public domain. Film stills, digital images and other found, stolen or borrowed visual materials are brought together to extend contemplation of familiar scenes. She depicts indoor and outdoor spaces as well as objects and figures that are stripped of everything except their bare essence.

Her work has been shown internationally in both solo and group exhibitions, including Sharjah Biennial 13: Tamawuj (2017); Let Me Stay a Little Longer, Marfa’ Projects, Beirut (2015-2016); On Water, Rosemary and Mercury, Home Works 7, Beirut Art Center (2015); Vingt-cinq ans de créativité arabe, Institut du monde arabe, Paris (2012); Dinner Temper, All About Beirut, whiteBOX, Munich (2010); Before Dark, Exposure, Beirut Art Center (2009); Radius of Art Project, Flandernbunker, Heinrich-Boell-Foundation, Kiel, Germany (2008) and Shoe Box, Dar Al Funoon, Kuwait (2007).

Al Samerraei received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Lebanese American University, Beirut (2002). She also completed a nine-month residency at the Cité international des arts, Paris (2014) and participated in the inaugural year of the Home Workspace Program at Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (2011-2012).

Born in Kuwait in 1977, Al Samerraei lives and works in Beirut.

This person was part of Sharjah Biennial 13.

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