Lia Sáile
*1985
Interdisciplinary artist
+ speaker / lecturer
Works internationally.
Lives in Munich + Cologne, DE. Studio in Munich, DE
Studio assistant: Adriana Lemus
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Credit: Handwriting logo by Raven.
BIO
In her interdisciplinary practice, Lia Sáile (*1985) explores conceptual and manifest ‚borders‘ and their crossings as well as transitions, thresholds, and liminal spaces within media, (inter)cultural, social and political contexts. By interrelating fragments and concepts of reality, she generates new experiential forms and contexts that make the field of tension between them perceptible. Her practice engages with culturality, tradition, and the construction of individual and collective identity, while interrogating systems of belonging and othering. By interweaving historical references with speculative futures, Sáile’s work constructs alternative imaginaries of belonging and coexistence.
Her interdisciplinary practice encompasses formats such as analog and digital image media, filmic works, objects as well as installations, often of a site-specific nature, with a focus on large-scale projects in the form of interventions in public space.
Drawing on her background in academic theory, artistic practice, and social activism, she gives artist talks and lectures.
Sáile’s work has been presented in solo exhibitions and public space interventions in cities including Tunis (TN), Vienna (AT), Valletta (MT), Munich, Cologne (DE), and New York City (USA). She has exhibited at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art Malta, Picasso Museum Münster, IKOB Museum Eupen, and whiteBOX Munich, as well as in prominent international public spaces. In addition, she has participated in group exhibitions and international film and photography festivals in countries including the USA, Brazil, India, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Greece, Belgium, and China—such as the Athens Photo Festival (GR), Kassel Documentary Film Festival (DE), Regensburg Short Film Days (DE), and the Alternative Film/Video Festival in Belgrade (RS).
Over the years, she received numerous prestigious grants and fellowships, including support from KÖR – Public Art Vienna (AT), the C Photo Talent Grant with commissioned work for C Photo Magazine (London, UK/Spain), as well as major institutional project funding. She was nominated for the 2:1 Prize in Munich and the Young Artists Award of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). In 2024, she was invited to apply for the Forum Expanded section of the Berlin Biennale. Her works are held in the National Collection of Malta and the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta.
In October 2025 her work Scattered Sea celebrates its world and Middle Eastern premiere at the 41st Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival, Alexandria, EG.
Sáile studied Theatre, Film and Media Studies in Vienna and Malta (Diploma I, Phil.), followed by postgraduate studies in Media Art at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (Diploma II, Art.), both completed with highest honors.
CV
(CV -> HTML below is work in progress; see PDF for selected overview CV )
Education
Academy of Media Arts Cologne, KHM, Cologne, DE; Diploma II, post graduate (dipl. art, post-MFA) with mentors: Prof. Mischa Kuball, Prof. Dr. Lilian Haberer, Karin Lingnau.
University of Vienna, AT; Diploma (dipl. phil.; MA) Theatre, film and media studies.
University of Malta, Msida, MT; Year abroad; Film, Art, Journalism and Philosophy.
Grants & Awards
Nomination/Shortlist, Grand Award of friends of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, DE
Exhibition project funding, Cultural Department of the City of Munich, Munich, DE
Extra studio funding, 3 years, Cultural department of the City of Munich, Munich, DE
Funded studio space, juried communal Atelierhaus (studio house), 6 years, City of Munich, DE
Cultural Department of the City of Munich, Munich, DE
Cultural Department of the City of Munich, Munich, DE
eon Stiftung, project grant, DE
Erzbistum München und Freising, Munich, DE
Kulturstiftung der Stadtsparkasse München, Munich, DE
Nomination Förderpreis des Landes NRW für junge Künstlerinnen und Künstler, DE
ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, grant, DE
Department for International Relations of City of Cologne, DE
innogy Stiftung, project grant, DE
Nomination zweizueins art price, Munich, DE
KHM Diplom II project funding, Cologne, DE
Vienna Kultur, MA7, Interculturality, Vienna, AT
BMUKK – The Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria, AT
KÖR – art in public space GmbH, Vienna, AT
Vienna Kultur, MA7 Film and New Media, Vienna, AT
C ACTION Grant, C Int. Photo Magazine, ES/UK
Speaker & Lecturer
2025 Femme* Soirée, lecture performance, Atelierhaus Baumstrasse, Munich, DE
2025 Feminist Spaces, podium, Glockenbach Biennale, Munich, DE
2019 (cancelled: Covid 19), artist talk, whiteBOX, Munich, DE
2018 Poetry Powrrr, podium, (Women*)Frauen*Kollektiv Münster, Münster, D
Work stays
2024 Work stay New York City and Washington DC, USA
2019 Artist in residence, whiteBOX, Munich, DE
2013 Artist in residence Hochseegalerie, Helgoland, DE
2012 Work stay and art residency Cairo, EG
2010 Work stay New York City with The Impossible Project (Polaroid), USA
2007 University studies and workshops, Msida/Xemxia/Valletta, MT
Performance workshops participation
(selection) Performing Arts and Theater Workshops with musician Frans Winther (Odin Teatret by Eugenio Barba), MT, performer Dr. Giuliano Campo, Canterbury & London, UK and Milón Melá (Indian Performative Arts Company directed by Abani Biswa), Canterbury, UK & Udine, IT among others.
Impressum
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The artist is not responsible for any contents linked or referred to from this website, and accepts no responsibility for its presentation in the websites of third parties. The information and contents have been carefully researched and checked, and can change at any time. The artist cannot accept any liability for the correctness, completeness, or topicality of its contents.