Traveling Exhibition Showcases Palestinian Art

Traveling Exhibition Showcases Palestinian Art
'From Gaza to the World': Traveling exhibition showcases Palestinian art amid occupation and war
Opening in the US after visits to France and Denmark, the Gaza Biennial brings the perspective of residents of conflict zones in the Middle East to other countries.

As Firas Zreik strummed the harp-like kanun at the opening of the Gaza Biennial in New York last week, visitors were surrounded by artistic representations of the Middle East war zone. There were images of severe injuries, rubble, and survival. Meanwhile, the melody of Zreik, a 29-year-old Palestinian musician, set a somber tone for the exhibition, which opened at Recess Art in Brooklyn as the first leg of a brief US tour.

Attendees hoped that this edition of the exhibition, titled "From Gaza to the World," would help Americans understand the perspective of Palestinians experiencing violence at a time when some institutions are rejecting Palestinian art.

Most of the paintings, illustrations, and sculptures were reproductions made from digital photographs and executed under the instructions of the artists, who are not allowed to transport their works outside the Gaza Strip.

In a video projected behind Zreik, 22-year-old artist Yara Zuhod leafed through a book of drawings.

“I don’t have the right to travel, to share my work,” she said.

Lindsay Harris, co-director of Recess Art, said the nonprofit considered it might lose financial support for holding an exhibition on a politically sensitive topic. But when organizers contacted her this year, she found it difficult to say no.

“If these artists have the courage to continue their practice, then we can have the courage to be a platform for these stories,” Harris said.

Although the full exhibition in New York closed on Monday, a selection of works will remain on view until December 20. Previous exhibitions have been held in France and Denmark, and others will open in countries like Greece and Türkiye. Organizers also plan to bring the exhibition to Washington.

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