Nayra Aly (b.1996, Alexandria, Egypt) is a multidisciplinary artist, photographer, director, designer, and creator whose work spans a wide range of mediums and forms of expression. Rooted in personal experience, her practice explores themes of identity, belonging, mental health, displacement and racism.
Based in Stockholm, Sweden since 2011, she began her artistic career as a painter and illustrator, creating evocative works in charcoal and oil paint applied solely with her fingers. Drawn to the idea of world-building and visual expression as a whole, Aly never saw herself confined to a single medium. She soon expanded into the fields of photography, design and cinematography, completing her bachelor in Fine Arts and Design at Beckmans College of Design. Since then, she has established herself as an emerging creative force, producing widely recognized projects that have garnered the attention of leading institutions within their respective fields.
Fields
- Creative Direction
- Art Direction
- Photography
- Design
- Painting
- Editor
- Illustration
- Publications
- Literature
- Cinematography
Education
- BFA, Beckmans College of Design, 2022–2025
- Diploma in Fine Arts, IEGS, 2012–2015
Publications
- Longing for Belonging, 2025
- Och Sen Blev Det Ett Minne, 2025
- I’m Scared, 2024
- Enigmatic, 2024
Press
- Female in Focus, Nikon, 2026
- Fotografiska, Diaspora Panel, 2025
- Fanzingo Röda Linjen, Special Guest, 2025
- Fotografiska, Grant, 2025
- B-Reel Films, Grant, 2025
- Essen International, 2025
- Umute, 2024
Clients
- adidas
- Sneakersnstuff
- EY Doberman
- Stockholm Stad
- FOLK i Skärholmen
- NITTON
- Southnord
- NeH
- BAUHAUS
Exhibitions
2026
- Longing for Belonging, 1014 Gallery,
London - Longing for Belonging, International
Centre for the Image, Dublin - Longing for Belonging, Husby Konsthall
2025
Longing for Belonging, Salong CFF
Longing for Belonging, Salong CFF
- Longing for Belonging, Essen HQ
- Longing for Belonging, Beckmans COD
- BOXED-IN, A-HOUSE
2024
I’m Scared, Värmeverket
I’m Scared, Värmeverket
- There is no such thing as magic, Svenskt Tenn
- HER, Underverket Festival
- I’m Scared, Unmute
- Made by Mohammed, Vandalorum
2023
Clouds, Tekniska Museum
Clouds, Tekniska Museum
Collected by
- MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art, New York
- Studio Museum In Harlem, New York
- Claes Lewenhaupt Stiftelse, Sweden
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
- The National Library of Sweden
- Stockholm University, Sweden
- Gothenburg Library, Sweden
- Uppsala University, Sweden
- Lund University, Sweden
- Linköping University, Sweden
- Umeå University, Sweden
Grants
- Female in Focus, Nikon, 2026
- Claes Lewenhaupts Stiftelse, 2026
- Fotografiska, 2025
- B-Reel Films, 2025
- Oatly Design, 2025
- Estrid Ericsons Stiftelse, 2025
- Essen International, 2024
- Umute, 2024