Krayem Maria Awad is a Vienna-based painter, sculptor and poet of Syrian origin. He was born in Basir, and later moved to Austria, where he studied Telecommunications Engineering at the Vienna Technical College and was enrolled at the Vienna School of Economics. It was not until later, that he also attended the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. In the 1970s-1980s, Awad received international recognition for his numerous aquarelle works.

In his current work, the artist uses a number of different media, mixing sand and ashes with oil-based pigments, and often supporting the artworks with his own poetry.

But Krawad does not limit himself to painting or poetry; he was also a member of the editorial board of the magazine "Treffpunkte", and author of the manifesto "The Position of Women in European Civilization". Since 1994, Krayem has been passing on his knowledge by teaching art workshops and art courses in Switzerland.

The artist currently lives and works in Vienna, Austria.