Aida Seranaj

Painter & Iconographer | Greece

Aida Seranaj is an artist primarily working in painting. Born in 1984 in Tirana, Albania, she studied Drawing, Painting, and Stage Design at the ‘Jordan Misja’ Art Gymnasium in Tirana from 2000 to 2003. She continued her studies in Byzantine Iconography with Christos Papanikolaou at the private university ‘Logos,’ located in Tirana, from 2003 to 2005. She has previously worked with oil paints, acrylics, and experimented with other materials. The material that won her over is egg tempera, with which she paints saints and more on paper, canvas, and wood for iconography. She has showcased her work in exhibitions in Greece, where she lives and works. Her works belong to private collections.

STATEMENT

As an artist-observer of reality, I have always been intrigued by how a technique like iconography can be transferred to a broader artistic context. I feel a sensitivity to issues concerning humanity. I admire the struggle that each person undergoes in any society to exist as a free entity. Painting is my way of expressing my emotions, thoughts, concerns, and social issues. Through it, I convey messages, provoke thoughts, and evoke emotions in those who come into contact with my works.

AT A GLANCE

Genre: Painting

Medium: Egg tempera, pencils on canvas or paper.

Style: Representational painting with strong influences from Byzantine iconography and icon painting.

Themes: Human-centric

Workshop: Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Associations: –

Price Range: €200 – 4000

International Scale:
EMERGING | HIGH-POTENTIAL | MID-CAREER | ESTABLISHED

RECENT ARTWORKS

CAREER LANDMARKS

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
(selection)

“Happiness That Knows No Bounds”, conception & curation by Paris Kapralos, organized by ARTgrID, Chili Art Gallery, Athens 2024

“They deem you as a statue, I hail you as a woman”, conception & curation by Paris Kapralos & Vera Katranidou, Luminous Eye Gallery, Athens 2024

“En – From the Great Mother to the Virgin Mary”, conception & curation by Kadiani Veligrantaki, Teresa Valavani & Aida Seranaj, organized by the Women’s Union of Western Crete “Vritomartis”, Koutouloufari Hersonissos Crete 2023

“Free Theme”, organized by Athens Open Art, Art Number 23, Athens 2021

“Against Animal Abuse”, conception & curation by Kadiani Veligrantaki & Aida Seranaj, Polycenter of the Municipality of Heraklion, Heraklion Crete 2016

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATIONS
(selection)

“Euphoria”, The Holy Art Gallery, London, England 2023

COMPETITIONS/AWARDS

“Pan-Hellenic Art Competition: Discovering the History of the Greek Revolution in My Neighborhood”, competition by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture – judging committee / co-curation: Daphne Angelidou, Nikos Vatopoulos, Maria Grigoropoulou, Iris Kritikou, Triantafyllos Patraskidis, George Houliaras, Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Center, Athens 2021

.

With My Own Eyes… | Solo Exhibition by Aida Seranaj at the “El Greco” Museum in Fodele (Crete, Greece)

The “El Greco” Museum in Fodele will host an exhibition featuring works by Iconographer/Painter Aida Seranaj (Aida Marina Seranai). From June 16th to June 30th. Opening on June 16th at 11:00 AM. The solo exhibition consists of original works including: icons painted with the technique of the Cretan school, as well as icons created by the artist with a simple, personal, contemporary approach to design, clothing, with warm humble colors, aiming to emphasize the Holy figure depicted. Visitors will also encounter artworks with the central theme of womanhood. Detailed information HERE.