Farida El Gazzar was born in 1975 in Alexandria, Egypt. She is a Greek-Egyptian artist based in Athens. From 2003 to 2007, she was co-founder of the creative team WARDA. Her ongoing relationship with the Middle East is a result of her early years in Alexandria and Kuwait and has been realized also through her residencies and research in Cairo and Manama. El Gazzar’s passion for painting and collaboration led her to specialize in illustration while also exploring other departments in the arts. Her artistic versatility allowed her to work with esteemed organizations like the Greek Ministry of Environment, London National Theater, and editorial magazines, showcasing the boundless opportunities in the ever-evolving world of art.
EDUCATION
1998-2000
The Royal College of Art, London.
1996-1998
Kingston University, London.
1993-1996
Vakalo School of Art and Design, Athens.
RESIDENCIES
2009
Wall mural workshop, Al Riwaq Gallery, Bahrain.
2008-2009
Illustration workshop, Townhouse Gallery, Cairo.
AWARDS
2000
‘Sheila Robinson Memorial Drawing Award’, Royal College of Art, London.
2003
EVGE ‘Best Editorial Illustration Award’, Athens.
UPCOMING
Art Basel Qatar, Doha.
EXHIBITIONS (selected)
2025
Pontevedra Biennial, Spain.
2024
‘All Things Become Islands Before My Senses’ (curated by Burcu Fikretoğlu
And Gisem Naz Kudunoglou), Leros island, Greece.
2023
‘Stigma’ (group show) (curated by Alexandros Kassandrinos), Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital, Athens.
‘11 Women Artists United For Children’, Zoumboulakis Galleries, Athens.
2022
‘Don’t Wake The Turtles’ (solo Show), Artissima, Kalfayan Galleris, Torino.
2021
#5WomenArtists campaign, JP Morgan Collection.
2020 – 2021
‘Both Sides Of The Moon’ (solo show), Kalfayan Galleries, Athens.
2020
Virtual exhibition, curated by Farida El Gazzar, The Flag Art Foundation, New York, USA.
‘Night Garden’ (solo show), Kalfayan Galleries, Athens.
2019
Art d’Egypt 2019, several locations at Moez Street (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Historic Cairo, Egypt.
‘a.O. – b.c. An audiovisual diary’, STATE OF CONCEPT, Athens.
2018
Art d’Egypt – Nothing Vanishes. Everything Transforms, (group show), Manial Palace Museum, Cairo, Egypt.
“Opening Remarks’ (group show), Athr Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
2017
Solo show, Kabinett, Kalfayan Galleries at Art Basel Miami Beach.
‘NP or the Possibilities of Life’. Curated by Maria Thalia-Carras and Olga Hatzidaki. Organized by locus athens.
2016
‘Glory’ (solo show), Kalfayan Galleries, Athens, Greece.
2014
‘Dream City’ (solo show), Gypsum Gallery, Cairo, Egypt.
2013
‘Thrills and Chills’, CAN Gallery, Athens, Greece.
‘Surpreys’, Liana Vourakis, Athens, Greece.
‘Zoo’, Martinos, Athens, Greece.
‘Alexandria Vitrines’, Liana Vourakis, Athens, Greece.
2012
Art Dubai, Kalfayan Galleries.
Art Platform – Los Angeles, Kalfayan Galleries.
2011
Art Athina, Kalfayan Galleries, Athens.
2010
‘Arabic Without A Teacher’, Kerameikos, Athens.
‘Ofthalmofanes’, (curator: Iris Kritikou), Technopolis, Athens.
2009
‘Rehang’, (curators: November Paynter and Sylvia Kouvali), parallel event to the 11th International Istanbul Biennial, Grand Hotal De Londres, Istanbul.
‘Thirty Posters on Migration’, (curator: Dimitris Karaiskos), IMEPO (Hellenic Migration Policy Institute), Syntagma Metro Station, Athens.
‘The Ultimate Experience’, (curators: William Wells and Mayssa Fatouh), Al Riwaq Gallery, Bahrain.
2008
‘I Also Learned How To Play Backgammon’, Myran, Athens.
‘Auxlang’, (curators: Margharita Kataga and Thereza Papamichail), Artsolutiontemporary, Athens.
2007
‘Backgrounds’, (curator: Marieke Van Hal), Wannajob, Athens.
2006
‘Streetline’, WARDA, Athens.
2005
‘Monochrome Rosa’, WARDA, Athens.
2004
‘Draw Drawing’, (curator: Giacomo Picca), Gallery 32, London.
2001
‘Protection of Primates’, London Zoo, London.
‘Intrusion’, Roundchapel, London.
2000
‘The Show’, Royal College of Art, London.
‘Folio Society Book Illustrations’, Royal College of Art, London.
1998
‘Absolut Secret Exhibition’, Royal College of Art, London.
Connings by Gallery, London.