December 6- January 1
Opening reception: Tuesday, December 6, 6-9 pm
refreshments will be served
an exhibit featuring paintings, drawings, and prints by prominent Palestinian artists
with Palestinian artist Samia Halaby
Opening reception on Tuesday, December 6, 6-9 pm,
with Palestinian artist Samia Halaby
Not everything is jolly in December. The Zeitgeist Gallery has opted to display what it considers a more fitting tribute to the holy/holiday season by displaying work created by Palestinian artists, many of whom hail from Gaza. As one would expect, the themes of modern Palestinian art don't necessarily coincide with the bright and shiny side of a Boston-area December.
"The Art of Palestine" draws upon thousands of years of history and pre-history in Palestine -- of ancient culture and the larger ambience of Arab art and cultural tradition -- and of a revolutionary attitude, which gives credit to other great artistic movements of the past century. These artists of Palestine, often participating in passive resistance (and sometimes in active resistance), have created a body of work that seems to echo the Mexican muralists. One can sense the spirit of Diego Rivera, with a touch of Picasso, in this body of Palestinian work.
The exhibition is a unique contribution to the Boston's December art scene. As expected, much of the work expresses the artists experiences with war, death, exile, and occupation -- obviously major themes that consume modern Palestinian life. The Palestinian artists included in this exhibit are Samia Halaby, Tayseer Barakat, Abdal Rahman Al Mozayen, Abd-al Naser Amer, Mustafa Al Hallaj, Zahed Izzat Harash, Jawad Ibrahime, Adnaan Zbeidi, and Adnaan Yahya -- all capable of generating for the audience a fascination for all things Palestine. Perhaps that fascination will then lead to greater understanding and appreciation.