Aaliyah Navras

One of my biggest inspiration in my art practice is an emotional evolution of a modern man and never ending and intriguing mask motive. In my works I bring to life very romantic vision of an ancient man and I thrive in awe for past generations. Its boldness, resourcefulness but above all coexistence with nature and preservation of traditions.
In fascination about forgotten tribes, pagan rituals and mythology, I’m looking similarities in modern men behaviours, whether on psychological or cultural level. My inspirations are coming from observations of our primal instincts and primitivity hidden deeper and deeper under the masks we are putting on ourselves.
Adopted nickname is combination of an old and forgotten. Navras is mantra name, derived from Sanskrit language, defining status of 9 human emotions. Aaliyah is a name appearing in many cultures, Hebrew or Swahili, means ascending, going up.

Name: Anna Pelc (aka Aaliyah Navras)
Year of Birth: 1990

Aaliyah Navras ••• BIO ENG •••
Aaliyah Navras is an emerging Polish mixed media artist, working and exhibiting
internationally. Former student of Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow at Graphic
Design Department. Winner of prestigious 11th Arte Laguna Prize in Venice,
Italy. Attendant of many international art residencies, having her works in
group and solo shows all around Europe, New York and Shanghai.
Works mostly with mixed media painting, collage, printmaking and stage
design.

Education:
• Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland.

2012-2014, Department of Graphic Arts, 2012-2013, painting in prof. Tabisz studio.

Selected solo shows:
2018 – Tetris, FRESH Gallery, Cracow, Poland
2015 – Collectors, Espacio Trapezio, Madrid, Spain
2015 – Time and Numbers, Make a Point Gallery, Bucharest, Romania

Selected group shows:
2018 – 9th Art Fresh Festival, Sheraton Hotel, Warsaw, Poland
2018 – Chelsea in Red, PlainAir Contemporary, London, UK
2017 – Artists in Residence, Shentong Museum, Xuancheng, China
2017 – Et Tu Art, Brute? Andrew Edllin Gallery, New York, USA
2017 – Europe under the Castle, Festival, Slovakia
2017 – 11th International Arte Laguna Prize, Arsenale of Venice, Italy
2016 – New Art, Palace under the Rams, Cracow, Poland
2015 – Adios, Atelier Solar, Madrid, Spain

Artistic Achievements:
2017 – Special Prize in 11th International Arte Laguna Prize, Venice, Italy
2016 – NCG Cooperation Award, Nantes, France

Art Residencies:
2017 – Peach Blossom Pool, Tao Hun Tan, China
2015 – Intercambiador ACATR, Madrid, Spain
2015 – The Can (Collective Art Neighbourhood), Bucharest, Romania

Projects and Collaborations:
2017 – ongoing – Deglupta, Mogliano Venetto, Venice, Italy
2017 – Tripoint Summer Session, Klepisko Theatre, Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
2016 – Femei Pe Matasari, short documentary, Vlipp, Sprouce Up Europe, Romania/France
2016 – Stage Design “Władcy”, Latarnia Theater, Białystok, Poland
2016 – Deframestration, grupaLASEM, Polikultura Festival, Cracow, Poland (performance)
2016 – Deframestration, grupaLASEM, Theather Variette, Cracow, Poland (performance)
2016 – Commissioned mural for Art and Culture Centre, Godziszow, Poland