Gallery Al-Quds launched a new year of content–loaded art shows with Natural History, which examines the subject of cultural destruction from the angle of decimation of the natural environment. Debra Van Poolen’s watercolors depict lush Palestinian hills starved of water by encroaching settlements, while disappearing flora and fauna are being salvaged and studied at the new Palestine Natural History Museum. Dr. Steven Salaita’s lecture during the run of the exhibition, expanded upon this subject of cultural decimation.
Our combination of riveting artworks with thought-provoking content continues with discussions of women’s psychological scars (DEFACED yet ALLURING by Manal Deeb) and a major exhibition, Creative Dissent, from the Arab American National Museum this summer.
Gallery Al-Quds will also be seeking to expand its international reach this year. I will be traveling to Berlin, where a number of significant Palestinian artists, including Kamal Boullata, have moved recently. I will visit a number of galleries and venues that have hosted Arab artists, including gallery artist Adnan Charara, to establish ties there. I will also be attending the Venice Biennale, and installing the first Gallery-Al Quds show in Paris, with the work of Helen Zughaib.
Given recent world events (we mourn the sad and shocking murder of gifted Egyptian poet Shaimaa el-Sabbagh while carrying a wreath of flowers to memorialize the deaths in Tahrir Square), it is ever more important to us to promote the free expression of Arab artists everywhere.
“Let the power of culture triumph over the culture of power.” Edward Said
See you at the Gallery.
Dagmar
