Halla Ayla
Encyclopedia
Halla Ayla is an Iraqi American
artist and self taught photographer, currently living in San Francisco, CA.
, Iraq. Before moving to the United States
in 1991, Ayla lived between Iraq, Lebanon
and Saudi Arabia
, after which she lived in Europe
for 15 years. 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.
Having taken art courses at the College of Marin
in California
, Ayla holds more than 30 years experience as a photographer, and began painting in her early thirties, she combines photography with painting and collage to create unique mixed media painted photographs from her journeys to the Middle East
.
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.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the Arab world
, UK, Europe and the US.
Iraqi American
Iraqi Americans are Americans of Iraqi descent, including those who are expatriates in exile or permanent immigrants. The number of Iraqi Americans is around 140,000 according to the Arab American Institute....
artist and self taught photographer, currently living in San Francisco, CA.
Early life and career
Ayla was born BaghdadBaghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, Iraq. Before moving to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1991, Ayla lived between Iraq, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, after which she lived in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for 15 years. She achieved BA Business from Sorbonne University in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, as well as MA Marketing & Business from the American College in London and Webster University, Geneva.
Having taken art courses at the College of Marin
College of Marin
The College of Marin is a community college in Marin County, California, U.S., with two campuses, one in Kentfield, and the second in Novato. It is the only institution operated by the Marin Community College District. Its chief executive officer is currently Superintendent/President David Wain...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Ayla holds more than 30 years experience as a photographer, and began painting in her early thirties, she combines photography with painting and collage to create unique mixed media painted photographs from her journeys to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
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
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's "Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
" as a champion for Arab art culture and humanity.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, UK, Europe and the US.
Exhibitions
- 2008 - Essene Gallery, Sausalito Calif
- Iraqi American Bridge of Hope Exhibition, Wilmington, Delaware
- 2007 - Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington, Delaware
- Pomegranate Gallery, Soho, New York City
- Arab Cultural Center of Silicon Valley, Saratoga, California
- 2006 - Aya Gallery, London, England
- Kufa Gallery, London, England
- Savannah Studio, London, England
- Le Tire Bouchon Gallery, Virginia, US
- San Francisco Arab Cultural Center, San Francisco, California
- California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, California
- 2005 - The San Anselmo Inn and Gallery, San Anselmo, California
- Mendocino Gallery, Mendocino, California
- Lehrer Gallery, Larkspur, California
- La Kasbah, San Francisco