About
Sara Aref, an Iranian-Belgian visual artist based in Brussels, describes her paintings as independent of contemporary trends, where the artist, a sensitive intermediary who transposes her emotions onto the canvas in dialogue with society and nature. Her vibrant and nuanced works, infused with a passion for colour, movement, and the interplay of light and darkness, reflect both social conditions and the depths of her personal feelings. Through a diverse palette and a patient exploration of multiple techniques, she gives form to this fundamental duality.
Her collections, including Innocence and Castaway, explore inner emotions shaped by her experience of immigration from her homeland to Western Europe. The ongoing Silence and Hope series delves into socio-political perspectives and continues to evolve with new works.
Characterized by the delicacy of Persian miniature techniques, Sara’s art testifies to her commitment to the craft and her ability to evoke powerful emotions. Her work serves as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, creating a synthesis of both heritages.
She has exhibited her work internationally, with early participation in the “Venice Biennale students” section (2016, Palazzo Grimani) and later shows in Milan, Brussels and Tehran. Sara earned both her BA and MA in Painting from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, graduating with distinction in 2016 and 2018.
“Codice Italia” ,2016 ,Bienalle Venezia.
Selected Exhibits
2027, Upcoming Solo Exh, “Where Silence Holds the Lights”, at “Maison stepman“, Brussels, Belgium.
2026, Upcoming Group Exh, “74ème Salon du Cercle d’art Eugène Simonis”, at “Maison stepman“, Brussels, Belgium.
(The inauguration; Thursday, October 22nd, at 7pm.)
2026, Solo Exh; “Silence and Hope“, at Green Door Gallery, Bruxelles, Belgium.
2026, Duo Exh; “Di Aria e Di Fuoco“, Atelier della Fotografia, P.Venezia – P.Ferro.Station, Milan, Italy.
2025, Group Exh; “22nd AAmA – Asian, African, Med, Europe & Americas International Art Exhibition”. Held in Portugal, Romania, Mongolia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Austria, China, June-Dec 2025.
2025, Group Exh; “Ottanta”, Artepassante, Gare de Porta Garibaldi (Passante), Milan, Italy.
2024, Group Exh; “Circle d’art, SIMONIS“, at “Maison stepman”, Brussels, Belgium.
2024, Group Exh; A day in the world, Nori De’ Nobili Museum of Trecastelli, Italy.
2024, Group Exh, “parcours d’artiste”, at “Tour&Taxi”, Brussels, Belgium.
2023, Group Exh, “Home”, at “Green Door Gallery“, Brussels, Belgium.
2023, Group Exh, “Rencontres d’artistes”, at “Château du Karreveld “, Brussels, Belgium.
2023, Solo Exh, Dendam Center , Brussels, Belgium.
2022, International Contemporary Art-fair, “ART3F“, Brussels, Belgium.
2022, Group Exh, “CONSTELLATIONS /COSTELLAZIONI”, Passante Milano Dateo, Italy.
2021, Group Exh, “100 Works, 100 Artists”,Golestan Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
2020, Group Exh, “Diciassette passi”, Passante Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milan, Italy.
2016, Group Exh; “Female Image”, Premio Dino Sangalli, Palace Bovara, Milan, Italy.
2016, Group Exh; “Codice Italia” ,Bienalle Venezia, Palace Grimani, Venice, Italy.
2015, Group Exh; “Young Artists of Brera Accademy and University of Milan” Bicocca, Salon2015, Milan, Italy.
2015, Group Exh; “Premio Paolina Brugnatelli”, S.Carpoforo Church, Milan, Italy.
2014, Group Exh; “Combina: Osservatoria 7”, S.Carpoforo, Milano, Italy.
2014, Group Exh; Fuori Salone MIART: Brera 2014 – Brera Academy, Milan, Italy.
