Alia Syed facts for kids
Alia Syed (born in 1964) is an amazing filmmaker and artist. She creates experimental films, which means her movies often explore new ways of telling stories and showing ideas. Alia is from Wales, a country in the UK, and also has Indian family roots.
Alia Syed was born in Swansea, Wales. She studied art at the University of East London and later at the Slade School of Fine Art. After her studies, she started teaching and giving talks at famous art schools like Central St. Martins. Today, she teaches at Southampton Solent University.
Alia's films and art have been shown all over the world! You can find her work in big museums and galleries, like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Her art has also been featured in many film festivals. She lives and works in London, UK.
Alia's art often looks at big questions about who we are. She explores ideas like:
- What makes up our identity? (Who are we as individuals and as a group?)
- How do we represent ourselves and others in art?
- How does language shape our thoughts and feelings?
She uses sounds, words, pictures, and characters in her films to make people think about these ideas. Alia once said that she is very interested in language because it helps us define ourselves. She believes that film can be like a mirror, showing us things that make us question our own ideas. She also finds it interesting when someone has more than one "culture" inside them, like her own Welsh and Indian background.
Film Works
Alia Syed has created many unique films. Here are some of her works:
- 2019: Meta Incognita: Missive II
- 2016: On a wing and a prayer
- 2010–2013: Panopticon Letters: Missive I
- 2008–2011: Priya
- 2006–2011: A Story Told
- 2010: Wallpaper
- 2005: LA Diary
- 2003: Eating Grass
- 2001: Spoken Diary
- 1994: The Watershed
- 1991: Fatima's Letter
- 1989: Three Paces, Swan
- 1987: Unfolding
- 1985: Durga
Selected Honors, Lectures and Screenings
Alia Syed's films have been shown and discussed at many important places. Here are a few examples:
- 2010: Tate Britain, London, UK
- 2005: Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA), Los Angeles, CA
- 2000: Tate Modern, London, UK
- 1997: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London, UK
- 1994: Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, UK
- 1991: Tate Gallery, London, UK
