At Buro247 Middle East, we are committed to showcasing and celebrating the extraordinary talent in the Arab world. With our column, #BuroSpotlights, we bring you stories of pioneering artists, innovative designers, tech trailblazers, cinematic visionaries, sports stars, and more.
This week, #BuroSpotlights Lebanese artist Adra Kandil.
Adra Kandil, the creative brain behind the popular Instagram page Dear Nostalgia, studied at IED Barcelona. It was then that she learned about the tools required to translate her creative vision into art. She then worked at an advertising agency in Beirut, which helped further develop her creative process. Apart from her work, Kandil also resorted to YouTube tutorials to perfect her creative process. The result? A whopping 58.5k followers on Instagram and major brand partnerships like adidas, Ounass, Roberto Cavalli, and more.
As suggested by the name of her Instagram page, Kandil’s art invokes a sense of nostalgia. Inspired by the stories of Beirut she heard from her father and grandmother, Kandil’s distinct art style juxtaposes retro photographs with vibrant pops of color and eccentric typography. Swiping through her work is like taking a trip to the Middle East in the 50s and 60s.
Kandil uses her art to generate conversation around social and political issues. What sets Adra’s work apart is its unapologetic embrace of her heritage and convictions. From the alleys of Beirut to the global stage, she fearlessly tackles issues close to her heart, using her canvas as a conduit for change. From the battlefields of women’s rights to the scars of injustice etched into Lebanon’s history, Adra’s brush strokes speak volumes.
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