Mois de la Francophonie - Opening | EYES Series by WERIEM
Photo: Aleksandr Karjaka
Join us for the opening celebration of Mois de la Francophonie, spotlighting Tunisia!
From 6 to 8 pm, experience the powerful work of Franco-Tunisian artist WERIEM, traveling especially from Chicago for this special event at the Alliance. As you explore her stunning paintings, enjoy the beautiful sounds of traditional Arabic music, performed live on guitar by Meriem LeClair.
Don’t miss this unique opening night, an opportunity to discover WERIEM’s art, immerse yourself in Tunisian culture, and learn the stories behind her beautiful creations.
Registration is encouraged. Please consider registering and making a $10 donation to support our cultural programs like this one. Your support allows us to continue the presence of cultural programs which benefit our whole community.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My practice is rooted in drawing and painting and shaped by a background in baroque costume design and the performing arts. I explore emotional presence through archetypal figures, close-up gazes, and carefully constructed surfaces that hold the tension between reality and reverie. Influenced by historical painting traditions, my work does not reference the past directly but carries its expressive force into the present. Grounded in research and observation, detail conveys fragility and quiet theatricality, inviting viewers into a contemplative space where each composition becomes a mirror for their own inner theater”. WERIEM
About the artist
WERIEM is a French & Tunisian artist whose detailed work draws inspiration from the performing arts. In 2024, she presented her first solo exhibition in Chicago. Since then, her work has been shown in Chicago and Los Angeles, and she received the People’s Choice Award at the Bridgeport Art Center’s Annual Art Competition. Following her second solo exhibition at the Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago, 2025; Newcity review click here), she continued to exhibit in the U.S. and abroad, participating in group shows in Portland (OR), Boise (ID), Los Angeles (CA), and Paris, France. In 2026, she looks forward to presenting her work in Minneapolis (MN) and to participating in an artist residency in New York City (NY).
WERIEM’s artistic journey captivates collectors both locally and internationally. She pursued classical training at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago and the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. Before fully dedicating herself to fine art, she built a decade-long career as a costume designer for opera, collaborating with institutions such as the Royal Swedish Opera, the Boston Early Music Festival, Opera Lafayette and Haymarket Opera Company. Her work has been praised by the New York Times, Chicago Reader, Wall Street Journal, and Chicago Tribune.
Although always an artist at heart, she began her professional path with a PhD in biology from the Université de Lille (France), a foundation that continues to inform the precision and detail in her work.