Khaled Akil (born 1986 in Aleppo) is a Syrian artist based in Istanbul. A self-taught artist, he works across a variety of media. He is best known for his photography series Pokémon Go in Syria.
Biography Khaled Akil was born in Aleppo, Syria, into a family with a long history of artistic and political influence. His father is the renowned painter Youssef Akil. His great maternal grandfather is the Syrian author and historical figure Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi.
Akil held his first exhibition in 2009, whilst completing his bachelor's degree in Law. His experience in law, politics and human rights played a major role in his artistic development and outlook.
In 2012, he held a solo exhibition, "The Legend of Death", in Istanbul, where he now resides, having been displaced by the escalating war in Syria.
Solo exhibitions 2018 – Requiem for Syria, Brown University, Rhode Island, U.S. 2017 – Stanford University, California, U.S. 2013 – The Legend of Death, Chalabi Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey 2012 – The Unmentioned, Lahd Gallery, London, UK 2011 – Karma Art Gallery, Aleppo, Syria 2010 – Mustafa Ali Art Foundation, Damascus, Syria 2009 – Sarmad Art Gallery, Aleppo, Syria
Group exhibitions 2019 – Kashash, Bozar Art Museum, Brussels, Belgium 2018 – Anti Trump Show, Creative Debuts, London, UK Uprooted, World Bank, Washington, D.C., U.S. Tribe: Contemporary Photography from the Arab World, American University Museum, Katzen Arts Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. 2016 – Flight, West Branch Gallery, Stowe, Vermont, U.S. Anna & Mark Art Fair, San Jose, California Catharsis, Gaya Art Gallery, Sidi Bou Said 2015 – International Discoveries V, FotoFest, Houston, Texas, U.S. Woman Through The Eyes, Tajallyat Art Gallery, Beirut In-Quest, Gaya Art Gallery, Sidi Bou Said Voices from the Middle East, Art in Exile Festival, Washington, D.C. 2009 – From Aleppo with Love, Le Pont Gallery, Aleppo, Syria
References
External links Syrian Artist’s Photographs Offer a Prayer for Peace Syrian Artist Khaled Akil: ‘Art Flies With No Visa’ Artist Khaled Akil vows not to seek US visa under Trump You Need to Be Looking at 'Pokémon Go in Syria - The Creators Project, VICE Artist Khaled Akil imagines Pokémon Go in ravaged Syria | AL Jazeera EN "The Identity Thief"- Article by Khaled Akil | The New York Times Magazine Requiem for Syria: artist Khaled Akil on why his latest work is about peace, not war The Syrian Art World After 2011– presented by miriam cooke Khaled Akil joins art team for “Aleppo, Syria: Witness to an Ancient Legacy” The five hottest artists from the Middle East today Khaled Akil: storyteller. Revealer of truths. Armed to the teeth.