ARTUMMAH فن الأمة
May 4 – July 1, 2018 East of West, 2351 Fox Road, no. 600 Santa Fe, NM
Opening Reception: May 4, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
THE EXHIBITION:
Curated by Bijjan Sadegh Shirvani, founder of Artummah
Founded in response to decades of negative stereotypes and media portrayals, Artummah aims to showcase the contemporary culture of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that is seldom seen in the United States. The word ‘ummah,’ in its original Arabic, means community. Currently, Artummah functions primarily as a social media collective to serve this community of artists by providing them a platform to share their work. Artummah aims to take a region that is often homogenized and misunderstood, and shed light on the creative individuals that make the MENA what it is. The platform’s showcased works are organized based on color and pattern, creating a vibrant and dynamic aesthetic as colors transition from one to another. In this exhibition, artists use history and nostalgia to explore their personal practice. A number of the works displayed use personal and cultural history to convey the artists’ experiences, which range from the perils of war to the joys of childhood.
Artists: Adnan Samman, Ali Al Shehabi, Beya Khalifa, Evar Hussayni, Farbod Mehr, Hushidar Mortezaie
THE GALLERY:
East of West is an art gallery dedicated to shifting narratives. Nestled in the heart of the American Southwest in the city of Santa Fe, we exhibit dynamic work by contemporary artists from the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and their diasporas. East of West aims to bridge the prevalent and growing divide between America and “othered” communities, whose involvement in the arts is infinitely diverse yet often portrayed as a monolithic stereotype. Our mission is to amplify artists’ voices, shift negative narratives and stereotypes, and help bridge gaps between communities. Through exhibiting contemporary visual culture, engaging in community outreach, providing valuable information and resources, hosting monthly lectures, conducting and publishing frequent interviews, supporting artist residencies, and more, East of West works within our local community to strengthen relationships and encourage support between communities across the world.
For more information contact East of West at:
505-570-7708
Image credits: (Top) Ali Al Shehabi, Freej Sisterhood series photograph. (Middle) Beya Khalifa, Scar Tissue IV, Antique photograph and digital collage. (Bottom) Evar Hussayni, Untitled (Forgotten Women), mixed media collage printed on paper.