Education

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and pursued a Master’s degree in Digital Culture and Humanities at University College Cork, Ireland. Her research delves into the intersection of digital media and mythology in visual storytelling, a theme deeply embedded in her creative process.

Group Exhibitions

Merna’s artistic journey has been marked by participation in numerous prestigious group exhibitions, both regionally and internationally, showcasing her distinctive approach to visual storytelling. In 2025, her work will be featured at the Rafa Nasiri Annual Graphic Arts Competition in Amman, Jordan, as well as the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival. She will also present her creations at the Youth Salon at Cairo Opera House in December 2024, further solidifying her presence in the contemporary art scene. Her recent exhibitions include the Magma International Art Exhibition in November 2023 and Printemps des Artistes Cairo at the Diplomatic Club in May 2023, where she exhibited alongside established and emerging artists. In 2022, her work was displayed at the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, reflecting her ability to integrate art with digital innovation. She also participated in the ARVR Africa Game Metathon, exploring the intersection of art and virtual reality. In 2021, she took part in several significant exhibitions, including Al-Tala’i Exhibition at the Fine Arts Lovers Association, Tawr Exhibition at Mono Gallery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Their Creativity Exhibition at the Supreme Council of Culture at the Opera House, where her work gained recognition for its originality and depth. She also exhibited at the Youth Salon at Atelier Alexandria and the Youth Visual Arts Competition at the Freedom Centre for Creativity, reaffirming her engagement with emerging artistic movements. Merna's earlier exhibitions include the Post-Corona Exhibition at Gallery Dai in 2020, which reflected on the global artistic response to the pandemic, and the Girls Youth Week Competition in Fayoum, where she explored themes of resilience and identity. The same year, she participated in the Artistic Edition Exhibition at the Association of Fine Arts Lovers, the Ebdaa Competition by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Bastet Exhibition (Recycling) in 2019, highlighting her commitment to sustainable art practices. She was also featured in the Youth Visual Arts Competition and Al-Tala’i Exhibition at the Association of Fine Arts Lovers in 2019, as well as the Ostraka International Youth Biennale, where her work stood out for its bold narrative and experimental techniques. Further establishing her presence in the Egyptian art scene, Merna participated in the Youth Competition for Visual Arts at the Freedom Center for Creativity in 2018, the A Vision Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Alexandria, and the Agenda Exhibition at Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Earlier in her career, she exhibited at the Dr. Nawar Drawing Competition at Fine Arts University in 2017, the Ismailia Shrine (6*6) at Ismailia Culture Palace, and the 20th Salon at Ahmed Mukhtar Museum, demonstrating her artistic growth from a young age.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Merna’s artistic achievements have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, reflecting her dedication and innovation in the field of visual arts. In 2024, she was honored with the Nasiri Annual Award for Graphic Arts Competition, a highly regarded distinction at the regional level within the Arab world. In 2021, her mastery in graphic arts earned her the First Prize in Graphics at the “Their Creativity” Exhibition at the Supreme Council of Culture, a testament to her ability to merge technical skill with conceptual depth. Her artistic excellence was further acknowledged with a full-year art grant from the Ministry of Culture for 2021/2022, supporting her continuous exploration of visual storytelling. In 2020, she received the Third Prize in Graphics at the Girls Youth Week in Fayoum, competing at the university level, as well as Third Prize in Graphics at the Ibdaa Competition organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, further solidifying her position as an emerging force in contemporary graphic arts. The year 2019 saw her earning multiple accolades, including the Second Prize in Graphics at the Ostraka International Youth Biennale, where her work was recognized for its originality and execution. She was also awarded the Incentive Award in Graphics at the Al-Tale’i Exhibition, along with the Third Prize in Graphics at the Youth Visual Arts Competition at the Freedom Centre for Creativity, underscoring her consistency in delivering compelling and thought-provoking artwork. Her journey of artistic recognition began in 2017, when she was awarded the Cheerful Prize (Golden Pen) in the Dr. Nawar Drawing Competition, marking one of her earliest achievements in the competitive art scene.