About Laila Shawa
Her Art
Palestine
London
New work
Commissions
Contact
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Latest NewsAbout Laila Shawa
Laila Shawa :- Born in Gaza, Palestine, in 1940. She works and lives in London.
Laila's view of her art:
"I recorded a method of communication and punishments which have been sanctified by the (civilized world).... I have to criticise what is around me through my painting. I don't believe in painting butterflies and flowers and pretty things."Al-Shawa was born in Gaza, Palestine, and studied at the School of Art Leonardo Da'Vinci, Cairo, Egypt.
She received her B.A. in fine arts with honours from the Academia de Belle Arte, Rome, Italy. In addition she studied at the Academia St. Giaccomo in Rome where she earned a diploma in Plastic & Decorative Arts. She took summer courses under the Austrian expressionist Oscar Kokoschka, at the School of Seeing in Salsburgh, Austria.
She worked as supervisor for Arts & Crafts Education with UNRWA in the Gaza Strip while at the same time lecturing on Art Education for children with UNESCO Institute of Education.
Laila then moved to Beirut when she worked as full time as a professional painter and illustrator of children's books.
From 1977-1988 al-Shawa worked with the Saad Mohaffel Chartered Architects practice on the building of the Cultural Center, in Gaza, and executed the stained glass windows for the project, after which she moved to London and resumed work as a full time artist exploring various techniques and mediums.
Her selected solo exhibitions include:
- Marna House, Gaza, 1965;
- The Book Centre Gallery, Beirut, 1968;
- The Vendom Hotel, Beirut, 1970;
- Dar Tunis Gallery, Beirut, 1971;
- Sultan Gallery, Kuwait, 1972;
- L'antiquaire Gallery, Beirut, 1975;
- The National Art Gallery, Amman, 1990;
- The Gallery, London, 1992;
- The Library, SOAS, University of London, 1994.
Laila Shawa
Impossible Dream
The Impossible Dream is now available as a print, Limited Edition of 200.
Size : 18"X24" Approx.
Giclee print on Art paper
Please contact artist for more details: Laila@LailaShawa.com
Laila has made her home in London for a number of years and has received commissions from British institutions like the Ashmolean Museum, The British Museum has also purchased some of her work.
She finds the freedom to experiment in London and welcomes the exposure to many influences.
Her ArtLaila's art can be divided into a number of "periods" or classes of subject matter. In the 1990s she used photographs to portray the problems of the Palestinians, and a time in the 1960s when the structure of Jerusalem heavily influenced her art.
To view or order Laila Shawa's art works from The Bridgeman Art Library, please click here
Palestine
Her identity as a Palestinian defines Laila and much of her art has attempted to express the plight of the Palestinian people.
She is also concerned that Islamic societies in the Middle East achieve a balance in their relationship with their traditions and with the modern world - her painting "Impossible Dream" is an attempt to use humour to highlight the dilemma.
Walls of Gaza
New WorkLaila continues to produce new work at a steady pace, while promoting projects which can benefit Palestine.
Laila's 2004 Exhibition - Flower Paintings
Latest NewsEuropean School of Oncology (Milan) nominates Laila Shawa's work for Nathwani Prize - to be awarded in March 2006 during the European Breast Cancer Conference in Nice.
Psychic Sahar
Commissions
Laila accepts a limited range of commissions for major projects, please contact her for more information.
Children of Peace & War
ContactFor Commissions and more information
Please contact Laila:sales@lailashawa.com
Home/fax: +44 [0] 208 354 0576
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© Laila Shawa 2006