Emir Ben Ayed is a tunisian artist who defines himself as a author’s images, and a keen observer of a constant changing society.
According to the artist, a photograph is above all, a story, a destiny, a way for him to guide people towards his point of view. Photography is also a way to actively become a part of the society and militate for a better future.
He directs his work towards a documentation and support of the disadvantaged. He illustrates their misfortune and their moments of solitude in a world that exceeds them more and more, but also their rare moments of happiness when a helping hand is reached out to them.
Expanding his research to other Mediterranean societies has revealed that the lower classes aren’t their only link in common, but also what we would call a “universal misery” caused by factors that are almost the same every time.
Emir has represented Tunisian photography through exhibitions and conferences in Arles, London, Brussels, Strasbourg, Quebec, Alexandria, Barcelona and Paris.
La Presse – January 2012
Exhibitions
2010
Tunisia
« Art à Venir »
« Maisons Closes »
« ACAM »
« Manif’Oto »
2011
Tunisia
« Relais des Martyrs »
« La Folie dans l’Esprit Dictatorial »
« De Prague 68 à Tunis 2011 »
« Printemps des Arts Plastique de la Marsa »
« Art à Venir »
« O.V.N.I. – Objets Voilés Non Identifiés »
« Irada »
France
« Dessine-moi ta Révolution »
« Le Journal Intime »
« Visa pour l’Image 2011 »
Belgium
« Tunisie ! La Révolution en Images »
Canada
« Témoignage d’un jeune tunisien »
2012
Tunisia
« Socialement Votre … »
« Sexy Art 3 »
« The Left Behind »
« Chouf! »
England
« A Whole Year in the History of Tunisia »
France
« La Tunisie : L’étincelle du Printemps arabe »
« Jeunesse Tunisienne » (Galerie du PASSAGE – PARIS)
Spain
« Chouf! Fotografía tunecina contemporánea »
2013
Tunisia
« Chouf! »
France
« Narration photographique » – Paris
Egypte
Creative works
2014
Dakar
Biennale de Dak’art
Paris
Monochrome
Grants
Winner of first prize in the national competition of amateur film (Fifak – 2011).
Winner of the grant “Façade…S” (Goethe Institut – 2012).
Winner of the first prize of the jury in the contest “Je, Tu, Ils habitent la Terre” (Rencontres Cinema Nature – France – 2013).
Winner of the prize “The Most Creative Photographer in 2013″ in the TWA contest.