Houda Ajili

Houda Ajili, born in 1979 in Tunis, is a Tunisian painter and curator known for her multidisciplinary approach and deep engagement with cultural themes. She earned her degree in Fine Arts from the Institut Supérieur des Beaux-Arts de Tunis in 2004 and furthered her studies with a Master's in Transcultural Mediations in Italy in 2007, focusing on ethics as a catalyst for change. Between 2008 and 2009, she was awarded a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris by the Tunisian Ministry of Culture. In 2010, she completed a research Master's in contemporary philosophy with a specialization in aesthetics.

Ajili's work is deeply rooted in Tunisian and Arab culture, reimagining traditional architecture, motifs, symbols, and folklore with a contemporary sensibility. Her paintings are characterized by the use of geometric forms, arabesques, and calligraphy, often incorporating rich and varied color palettes. She employs organic materials, transforming them into unique art forms that explore concepts of memory, human identity, territory, and the female condition.

Throughout her career, Ajili has exhibited extensively in Tunisia, France, Italy, Morocco, and Egypt. Notably, she participated in the Salon d'Automne in Paris in 2014 and subsequently served as the curator for the first Salon d'Automne International in Tunisia the same year. In 2012, she was selected to be part of the Commission for the Acquisition of Artworks for the Tunisian State. Ajili has also dedicated part of her career to teaching fine arts at various higher education institutions in Tunisia. Currently, she resides and works between Paris and Tunis, drawing inspiration from both environments to enrich her artistic practice.