Iman Jabrah and Noel Maghathe’s Curatorial Residency, Amid  عامد

May 14 - June 18, 2022

Amid عامد was a collection of sentiments from queer and women Palestinian artists brought to Cincinnati, Ohio from Palestine and the diaspora. Focusing on the in-between, the artists explored themes of land and water through their work for this exhibition. Bringing artists together from across land and sea, the exhibition celebrated both feminine acts and queer identities in Palestinian culture and art.

The aim of this exhibition was to push for the decolonization of art spaces and highlight the various perspectives of Palestinians across the globe. The works being in the same physical space helped viewers uncover multilayered stories, and redefine critical joy. Amid عامد was meant to give the represented artists space for respite from the complexity of the Palestinian struggle today. The eight participating artists represent a diverse range of views and thoughts that stem from forced displacement around the world. Whether we are in Palestine, close by in Jordan and unable to visit, undergoing constant relocation, or even right here in Cincinnati—regardless of where the artists are located around the world, their work remains connected along a battle of spoken and silenced visuals. This exhibition was a celebration of our resiliency. 

Viewing all the work created around the globe together in the same room, brings forward Palestinian queer, feminine resistance and the further decolonization of art spaces to shape collaborative cultures. These artworks create a conversation around displacement, resistance, and roots intertwined with today’s ongoing challenges that Palestinian artists face in our 75th year under occupation.

Participating artists included: 

Dalia Ali, Fadl Fakhouri, Haya Mohammad, Kiki Salem, Salma Shaka, Amena Sheikh, Dalia Tuffaha, gfn X.

The 2022 Curatorial Residency Program was funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts