Simon Zekaria is a British painter based in Hampstead, London, working both 'en plein air' and from a studio to produce original fine art in oil.

Simon is drawn to the school of impressionism in his artwork; using broken colour and painterly, textured brushstrokes to capture light and shadow. His aim is to spontaneously render the feel and atmosphere of a place or subject, at a certain moment of time, through impressionist art.

In terms of his art education and learning, Simon studied life drawing and landscape painting at art institutions and academies in London, including Camden Art Centre in Hampstead and Hampstead School of Art, in addition to his self-taught studies.

In 2022, he studied plein air street and landscape painting on location in Montelparo, Italy under the tutorship of award-winning British artist Jennifer Aitken, Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists.

In 2022, Simon received a Commendation for his artwork from judges of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) at the ROI Paint Live plein air competition. 

In 2023, Simon won the Principal’s Art Prize awarded by the Hampstead School of Art at the Hampstead Summer Festival.

In 2023, Simon studied plein air landscape painting in Scotland under the tutorship of Susanna MacInnes, winner of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2023, Heat 2.

In 2024, Simon was awarded 'Honorable Mention' by the PleinAir Salon of PleinAir Magazine.

In 2024, Simon studied portraiture in oil at Dulwich Art School under the tutorship of Alex Tzavaras.

He was also given an award for his painting by the Hampstead School of Art at the Hampstead Summer Festival.

Simon is a member of the London Plein Air Group of artists and Highgate Contemporary Art, as well as a friend of the Royal Academy of Arts.

As well as selling his paintings directly, Simon’s artwork is currently exhibited at The Mill House Cafe and Highgate Contemporary Art.

For the latest news, please follow Simon on Instagram @simonzekariaart.

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Awards

Painting prize awarded by the Hampstead School of Art (HSOA) 2024

Awarded 'Honorable Mention' by PleinAir Salon of PleinAir Magazine 2024

Winner of the Principal’s Art Prize, awarded by the Hampstead School of Art (HSOA) 2023

Commendation awarded by the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Paint Live Plein Air Competition 2022

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Entrances/ Exhibitions

2024

Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Highgate Contemporary Art, Little Picture Show - Exhibitor

Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Gallery at Green & Stone Summer Exhibition - Exhibitor

Chelsea Art Society Annual Summer Exhibition - Exhibitor

Hampstead Art Society Annual Exhibition - Entrant

New English Art Club Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Plein Air Salon Art Competition, December - Award Winner

2023

The Mill House Cafe - Exhibitor

Highgate Contemporary Art Winter Exhibition - Exhibitor

Plein Air Salon Art Competition, November - Entrant

Gallery at Green & Stone Works on Paper - Entrant

Highgate Contemporary Art Postcard Art Exhibition - Exhibitor

Thou Art Framing - Exhibitor

Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Kinloss Art Fair - Exhibitor

Hampstead School of Art at the Hampstead Summer Festival, London - Exhibitor

Plein Air Salon Art Competition, March - Entrant

Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition - Entrant

Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition - Entrant

Plein Air Salon Art Competition, January - Entrant

2022

Thou Art Framing - Exhibitor

Plein Air Salon Art Competition, December - Entrant

Plein Air Salon Art Competition, November - Entrant

Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Paint Live plein air competition