Halla Ayla (born in 1957) is an Iraqi American artist and self-taught photographer, currently living in San Francisco, CA. She is noted for her activism and is a champion of women's rights and also works to encourage peace and understanding between the Arab world and the West. These causes are reflected in her artwork.
Early life and career
Ayla was born Baghdad, Iraq and grew up in Baghdad and in Beirut, Lebanon. Ayla divided her time between Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, after which she lived in Europe for 15 years before travelling to the United States in 1991 and finally settling in San Francisco.
She achieved BA Business from Sorbonne University in Paris, as well as MA (Marketing & Business) from the American College in London and Webster University, Geneva. She also undertook art courses at the College of Marin in California.
With more than 30 years experience as a photographer, she began painting in her early thirties and now combines photography with painting and collage to create unique mixed media painted photographs from her journeys to the Middle East. She makes extensive use of transfers which she uses to build up multi-layered images with texture and complexity.
She is an activist; a champion of women's rights and also works to encourage peace and understanding between the Arab world and the West. These causes are reflected in her artwork and her public appearances. She gave a keynote address at a Red Cross Annual Meeting where she spoke about the historic legacy of the Arabs and its impact on today's world. Ayla has also appeared on national and local radio and television such as ABC's "Good Morning America" as a champion for Arab art culture and humanity.
Work
A distinctive feature of Ayla's artwork is the use of Arab motifs such as calligraphy and the geometric patterns of Arabesque. Much of her work is produced in series, with each series dedicated to a specific geographic region. Her first series was entitled The Arab World Unveiled; the second was The Mysteries of Egypt, and the third, which focused on the Levant (Lebanon, Syria and Jordan) was called Everyday Enchantment. A later series was called the Magic of Morocco.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the Arab world, UK, Europe and the US.
Select list of artworks
Calligraphy, 2005
The Dreamer, [From the Mysteries of Egypt series], 2005
Man on Camel [From the Arab World Unveiled Series]. c. 2005
Temple of Horus, [From the Arab World Unveiled Series]. c. 2005
The Magic of Morocco date unknown
Everyday Enchantment in the Levant, date unknown
Exhibitions
Ayla's principal exhibitions include: 2004-2006: Arab World Unveiled, The San Anselmo Inn and Gallery, San Anselmo, CA 2005: Arab World Unveiled, La Kasbah, San Francisco, CA 2005: Arab World Unveiled, Lehrer Gallery, Larkspur, CA 2005: Arab World Unveiled, Mendocino Gallery, Mendocino, CA 2006: Arab World Unveiled, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA 2006: Arab World Unveiled, San Francisco Arab Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA 2006-2007: Le Tire Bouchon Gallery, Virginia, US 2006: Savannah Studio, London 2006: Kufa Gallery, London 2006: Aya Gallery, London 2007: Land of Enchantment, Arab Cultural Center of Silicon Valley, Saratoga, CA 2007: Babylonian Women: Four Californian Artiswts with Roots in Iraq, Pomegranate Gallery, Soho, New York, 6–27 September 2007 2007: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington, DE 2008: Iraqi American Bridge of Hope Exhibition, Wilmington, DE 2008: Essene Gallery, Sausalito, CA