Karima Al-Shomely (UAE) is a visual artist who was born in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, where she still lives and works today.
Karima studied Economics/Accounting at UAE University and then Fine Arts at the University of Sharjah before pursuing an MA in Fine Arts at the Chelsea College of Art and Design in 2009. Al Shomely’s work grapples with social, political and philosophical challenges facing humanity on the micro and macro-level. Her prints, photography and installations have been featured in many exhibitions both in her own country and internationally. Recent group exhibitions were held at the Sharjah Art Museum, UAE (2012); Sikka Art Fair, UAE (2011); National Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark (2010); the Brisbane Biennial, Australia (2009); Grand Palais, Paris, France (2008); Nerawan Gallery, Tehran, Iran (2007); and Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris (2006); to name a few.
Karima’s residency was part of Shopopolis, an initiative by Delfina Foundation that explores shopping centres as social spaces. Throughout June and July 2011, Karima worked alongside fellow Emirati artist Khalid Mezaina and public works, the London-based collective of artists and architects. The final outcomes of the project were produced in Westfield London for the Mayor of London’s festival Shubbak: A Window into Contemporary Arab Culture.
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Please note all artist-in-residence biographies are accurate at the time of their residency. For up-to-date bios please visit the artist’s website.