Raouf Alkaray

Raouf Karray, born in May 1951 in Sfax, Tunisia, is a distinguished visual artist and graphic designer renowned for his contributions to children's literature and visual arts education. Raised in an artisan family—his father a skilled cabinetmaker and his mother a renowned embroiderer—Karray's early exposure to craftsmanship profoundly influenced his artistic journey. He pursued formal education in graphic arts in Tunisia and later expanded his expertise in Italy, where he resided for six years before returning to Tunisia in 1983. Since then, he has served as a professor at the Higher Institute of Arts and Crafts in Sfax, imparting knowledge in visual communication and graphic arts. ([galeriealexandreroubtzoff.com](https://www.galeriealexandreroubtzoff.com/events/lumiere-13?utm_source=openai))

Karray's artistic oeuvre encompasses painting, graphic design, and illustration, with a particular emphasis on children's book illustrations. His works often depict vibrant, imaginative scenes that draw from Tunisian folklore and daily life, characterized by a rich palette and dynamic compositions. He has illustrated numerous children's books, including titles such as "ألغاز من تونس" (Riddles from Tunisia), "مولد نجمة" (Birth of a Star), and "زيتونة مباركة لا شرقية ولا غربية" (A Blessed Olive Tree, Neither Eastern nor Western). His dedication to children's literature has earned him accolades, notably the Encouragement Prize in the ACCU NOMA Concours for Picture Book Illustrations organized by UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre in Japan in 2005 and 2009. ([maannews.net](https://www.maannews.net/news/301960.html?utm_source=openai))

Throughout his career, Karray has exhibited his works extensively across the globe, including in France, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Cuba, Japan, Bulgaria, Lebanon, Finland, Norway, China, Iran, and India. Notable exhibitions include a solo show at "Dar El Mosawer" in Beirut in 2019 and participation in the "LUMIÈRE" exhibition at Galerie Alexandre Roubtzoff. His commitment to art education extends beyond academia; he has conducted workshops on traditional paper-making and Arabic calligraphy, sharing his expertise with aspiring artists worldwide. ([galeriealexandreroubtzoff.com](https://www.galeriealexandreroubtzoff.com/events/lumiere-13?utm_source=openai))