Personal Data and Introduction:

• Born to a Kuwaiti father and Syrian mother, Dr Shurooq Amin is bilingual in English and Arabic, fair in French and Spanish; and is an Anglophone poet, a contemporary artist, a certified interior decorator, and a professor at Kuwait University.
• Shurooq Amin's painting Society Girls from her London collection entitled The Bullet Series: Society Girls sold at $28000 at the inaugural Middle East Auction of Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art held in Kuwait, and came out the third top bid of the auction., exceeding the estimate of $4900.
• Her paintings can be found at the Bayan Palace/Amiri Diwan (Kuwait), the Museum of Modern Art (Kuwait), OPEC Headquarters Vienna (Vienna), Al-Derwaza VIP Lounge at Kuwait Airport, Basement Gallery (Dubai), Marina Hotel (Kuwait), the Shiseido company (Paris), New York (Contemporary Art Network), Damascus, private corporations abroad (Switzerland), private international art groups (Mirca Art Group, Sweden), local private companies (Arabesque Systems, Kuwait), and in private collections.
• Her poetry has been published into two books to date, and in more than 30 literary journals across the globe, and has been anthologized in The Gathering of the Tide: A Gulf Poetry Anthology by Garnet Publishers in association with the Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar. Her recent book "The Hanging of the Wind" is taught as part of the contemporary literature curriculum in universities in Kuwait, Qatar, and other Gulf states. She is also the only Kuwait Delegate for the bi-annual Gulf Arts and Cultural Leaders Conference set in Doha, Qatar. 
• Email: shurooqamin@hotmail.com
• Facebook Group: Shurooq’s Art Consultancy.

 

Academic Degrees:

• 2007 - PhD in Creative Writing from Warnborough University (specializing in Modern Poetry in the subject of Ekphrastic Art and Poetry).
• 1989 - Master’s Degree from Kent University, England, in Modern Literature (specializing in Modern Poetry).
• 1988 - BA in English Literature from Kuwait University (minor in French).
• 1984 - O'Levels from New English School , Kuwait.
• 2004 - Diploma in Interior Decorating from Thomson Education Direct (specializing in Feng Shui consultation).

 

Awards, Nominations, and Auctions:

• 2010 – A Painting from the The Bullet Series: Society Girls collection sold at $28000 at the inaugural Middle East Auction of Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art, held in Kuwait at Al-Corniche by JAMM, co-founded by Lulu Al-Sabah, previously with Phillips de Pury of London. Viewing of the artworks took place on February 16th and the unprecedented in Kuwait auction took place on February 17th.
• 2009, Oct - Dec - Awarded the OPEC Vienna Headquarters commission for two large-scale paintings to be permanently exhibitedin the OPEC Vienna building, represented by Ms Fatina Al-Sayed, curator of Fine Arts.
• 2009 - Awarded the Derwaza VIP Lounge at Kuwait Airport contract for one year to provide the Derwaza with customized paintings.
• 2009 - Awarded certificate of Merit for Grand Jury Duty in the World E-Summit Award, by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. March 8th to 12th 2009. Sponsored by the Amir of Kuwait.
• 2009 - Awarded Medal and certificate of Merit at the Cairo International Art Biennale, Dec. 2008.
• 2009 - Winner of Best of Artists Worldwide competition in Mixed Media category, published by Kennedy Publishing.
• 2009 - Awarded plaque of Appreciation by UNESCO for participating and presenting in its cultural week, Kuwait.
• 2009, Nov - Commendation from the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition in Fiction Category for "The Crescent Charm", a short story.
• 2008 - Awarded the Amir Abdulreda Creative Prize for paintings exhibited in February 2008 by the Kuwait Arts Association, Hawalli, Kuwait.
• 2007 - First Kuwaiti to be nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize in December 2007 for “Framboise Fig and Bronze Nude”, poem published in the Summer 2007 issue of DMQ Review.
• 2007 - Third place award for “The Other Wife” from Perigee: Publication for the Arts poetry competition.
• 2007 - Honorable mention for “Mud-Roses” in the Perigee: Publication for the Arts 2007 poetry contest.
• 2006 - Certificate of Appreciation awarded for Poetry Reading at the American University of Kuwait.
• 2005 - Awarded prize for paintings exhibited at the 44^th National Day and 14^th Liberation Day Exhibition from the Kuwait Arts Association, Kuwait.
• 2004 - Certificate of Appreciation for the First Kuwaiti Al-Khorafi Biennale in December 2004 from the Kuwait Arts Association, Kuwait.
• 1997, 1998 - Certificate of Appreciation for being one of four judges in the National Art Competition prepared by the Meridien Hotel in Kuwait.
• 1998 - PADI Advanced Scuba Diving certification and license from Dive Caroline, Kuwait.
• 1993 - License and certificate in NAUI Scuba Diving from Al-Boom Diving School, Kuwait.
• 1987, 1986, 1985 - Three awards for Drama and Theatre, and Certificates of Appreciation, Kuwait University.
• 1984 - Awarded first prize for her painting in a national art competition in Kuwait, 1984.
• 1980-1981 - Certificate of Merit for artwork presented at NES.
• 1979 - First prize in Ballet Performance from the London School of Contemporary Dance, Kuwait. Awarded several Certificates of Appreciation.

 

Current and Past Memberships and Participations:

• Member in Kuwait Arts Association.
• Represented by CAN - Contemporary Art Network - in New York, USA.
• Member in International Association of Art.
• Member in World Crafts Council – Asia Pacific.
• Member of The Poetry Society, UK.
• Member of The Poetry Society of America (USA).
• Member of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP, USA)
• Member of the Writer’s / Scholar’s Association, Kuwait.
• Member of the Certified Interior Decorators International (CID, USA).
• Member of the Kuwait Association of British Alumni (KABA).
• Member of Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiya, Kuwait.
• Member of the Kuwait University Language Centre Accreditation Committee.
• Member of the Faculty Association, Kuwait University, as well as a member of various committees at Kuwait University.
• Member of TESOL Arabia and TESOL Kuwait.
• Member of NAUI and PADI scuba diving schools.
• Member of KUBBY – Kuwait Board on Books for Young People, 2000-2001.
• Member of the London School of Contemporary Dance from 1974 to 1984.
• Member of the Consultation Research and Studies committee at the Amiri Diwan, Bayan Palace, in March 2008.
• Member of the Grand Jury of the World E-Summit Award, by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences – March 8^th to 12^th 2009.
• Member of the Panel at the UNESCO cultural week in Kuwait, March 23^rd 2009, representing the Kuwait Arts Association.
• Member of the Business and Professional Women's Association, Kuwait Chapter, under the umbrella of the Economic Society, 2009.

 

 

Exhibitions:

• 1977 -First group art exhibition at the age of 10 at the Ahmed Al-Adwani exhibition hall in Dahiat Abdullah Al-Salem, Kuwait.
• 1994 - First solo exhibition (Mixed Media) at Ghadir Gallery in Salhiya, Kuwait.
• 1997 – May: Second solo art exhibition, entitled Faces (pastel), at Boushahri Gallery in Salmiya, Kuwait.
• 1997 – November: Third solo art exhibition (pastel) at the Meridien Hotel in Kuwait City.
• 1999 - Fourth solo exhibition (pastel) at The Art Shop gallery in Salhiya, Kuwait.
• 2002 – October: Fifth solo art exhibition (oil on canvas) at the Kuwait Arts Association, entitled Wind and Water, featuring forty large oil paintings based on the Chinese concept of Feng Shui.
• 2004 –December: Exhibited at the First Kuwaiti Al-Khorafi Biennale, Kuwait.
• 2005 -February: Exhibited at the 44^th National Day and 14^th Liberation Day Exhibition at the Kuwait Arts Association, Kuwait. Awarded the prize.
• 2007 – April: Exhibited at the opening ceremony of The Diplomatic Club in Bidaá, Kuwait.
• 2007 – December: Exhibited at the Kuwait Contemporary Art Exhibition at the Kuwait Arts Association.
• 2008 –January: Exhibited with other local artists in the General Contemporary Art Exhibition/Khalifa Al-Qattan Creative Award at the Kuwait Arts Association, Hawalli, Kuwait.
• 2008 – February: Exhibited at the Kuwaiti Women’s Exhibition. Awarded the Amir Abdulreda Creative Prize by the Kuwait Arts Association.
• 2008 – February 17 – 19: Exhibited five paintings at Dar Al-Funoon Gallery, Kuwait, for a charity fund raiser event “20 x 30” for Bayt Abdullah children’s hospice.
• 2008 – March 23^rd to 31^st: Sixth solo art exhibition 9oil on canvas) entitled The Gift, comprising 30 large oil paintings, Kuwait.
• 2008, Nov. – Group exhibition at the Avenues Mall, Kuwait.
• 2008, Dec. – Exhibited at the Kuwait Biennale (Al-Khorafi Biennale).
• 2008, December – Invited to represent Kuwait and participate in the 11^th International Cairo Art Biennale in Egypt with two paintings.
• 2009, February – Exhibited in the Kuwait Creative Art Festival and Exhibition, at the Kuwait Arts Association.
• 2009, February – Exhibited and donated 2 poems for a charity event at the Q8 for Life show at The Exhibition, Kuwait, opposite Seif Palace.
• 2009, March 8^th to 14^th – Exhibited with of 4 Arab Artists (exhibition entitled “Apples”) curated by Fatina Al-Sayed of Fine Arts at Marina Hotel, Kuwait, in celebration of Women’s Day. The 24 paintings were a new collection of paintings for Shurooq synthesizing painting, photography, and poetry (Mixed Media).
• 2009, May 1^st – Group Exhibition curated by Fatina Al-Sayed at the Movenpick Hotel, Bidaá, Kuwait, for the Design for Youth charity fundraiser.
• 2009, May 4^th – Exhibited two paintings at the Spring Exhibition for the National Council of Arts, Culture, and Letters, Ahmed Al-Adwani Art Gallery, Kuwait.
• 2009, August - Summer Tour: Group exhibition with Mirca Art Group; Mirca Tour for Humanity, Sweden.
• 2009, Nov: Group exhibition at Ghadir Gallery, Kuwait: The Affordable Art Show, curated by Thuraya Al-Baqsami.
• 2010, February: Group exhibition at Bu Gallery, Kuwait.
• 2010, March: Group exhibition at Al-Sayed art gallery in Damascus, Syria.

 

Acquisitions and Commissions:

• 8 Murals (wall paintings) for the Bayan Palace, Presidential Residential Villa, 2008.
• 3 paintings for the Bayan Palace, Presidential Residental villas, 2008.
• Contract with Derwaza VIP Lounge at Kuwait Airport.
• OPEC commission for paintings for the new OPEC Vienna Headquarters on occassion of their 50th anniversary.
• Painting acquired by the Shiseido Company in Paris, 1997.
• Four paintings acquired by the National Council of Culture, Arts, and Literature, Kuwait, 2002.
• Painting acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, Kuwait, 2008.
• Two paintings acquired by the National Council of Culture, Arts, and Literature, Kuwait, 2009.
• Acquisitions and commissions with various distinguished people and diplomats internationally and locally

 

Poetry Readings/performances:

• Poetry readings and lectures at the Kuwait English School, and others.
• Several poetry readings at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1995-1999.
• Poetry reading at the American University of Kuwait, 2006.
• Poetry reading at Dar Al-Funoon art gallery, May 2009.
• Pecha Kucha #2 Kuwait, presenter, June 24th 2009, at Al-Qiblia Cultural Center.

 

Publications:

• Poems and short stories published in several literary journals, including:

1. 2005 - Etchings with Ilura Press, Australia. Vol. 1, issue 1.
2. 2005 - Many Colored Brooms, an online creative writing journal; issue #1.
3. 2006 - Many Colored Brooms, an online creative writing journal; issues # 2.
4. 2006 - Beauty/Truth: A Journal of Ekphrastic Poetry. Vol. 1, issue 1.
5. 2007 - Ekphrasis: A Poetry Journal. Vol. 4, no. 3.
6. 2007 - The Rose & Thorn Literary E-Zine. Fall 2007 issue.
7. 2007 - Words-Myth: A Quarterly Poetry Journal. April 2007 issue.
8. 2007 – The Cannon’s Mouth. Issue no. 23.
9. 2007 – The Journal. Issue no. 19.
10. 2007 – DMQ Review. Spring/Summer 2007 issue.
11. 2007 – Miranda Literary Magazine. Spring 2007 issue.
12. 2007 – Poesia with Indian Bay Press. Summer 2007 issue.
13. 2007 – Aesthetica Magazine. Aug./Sept. 2007, issue no. 18.
14. 2007 – Blood Lotus. Sept. 2007, issue no. 6.
15. 2007 – Living Poets, with Dragonheart Press. Fall 2007; issue ii.iii.
16. 2007 – Spoon River Poetry Review. Fall 2007 issue.
17. 2007 – Perigee: Publication for the Arts, April issue.
18. 2008 – Pearl Magazine. Issue no. 39.
19. 2008 – Tanjah Aladabia. January 2008; issue #1.
20. 2008 – 32Poems magazine. Winter 2008 issue.
21. 2009 – Monkey Puzzle magazine. Issue #7.
22. 2009 - Rio Grande Review literary journal. Vol. 33, Spring 2009.
23. 2010 - Diode Literary Journal, V. 3, N 2.

• Paintings published in online galleries and magazines, including:
  1. 2007 - Miranda Literary Magazine.
  2. 2007 – Saatchi Gallery, London.
  3. 2007 – Absolute Arts Gallery.
  4. 2007 – World Wide Arts.
  5. 2007 – Q8 Art, Kuwait.
  6. 2008 – Artmesh Gallery.
  7. 2008 – The Fuschia Tree Art Gallery, India.
  8. 2008 – Artists.de – Germany.
  9. 2008 – Art Break.
  10. 2009 – My Art Space.
  11. 2009 – Art House.
  12. 2009 – Galerie Quint-Essences, Switzerland.
  13. 2009 - Best of Artists Worldwide, Kennedy Publishing, USA.
  14. 2009 - Mirca Art group: Planet Art, Planet Earth book.
  15. 2010 - Contemporary Art Network gallery , New York, USA. 

• 1994 and 1997 - Published a poetry book, entitled Kuwaiti Butterfly Unveiled, locally in 1994, with a small distribution of 500 copies; and then internationally in 1997 with Minerva Press: ISBN-10:0754106268 and ISBN-13:978-0754106265.

• April 2009 - Published a poetry book, entitled The Hanging of the Wind, with the Finishing Line Press in USA (ISBN: 1-59924-429-2). Can be purchased online from www.finishinglinepress.com and www.amazon.com
• 2010 - Poetry Anthologized in the Gathering of the Tide: A Gulf Poetry Anthology by Garnet Publishers in association with the Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar.