Women’s Agency in Arab Art: Kinship, Education, and Political Activism
Beirut campus, AKSOB 904 and The Art Gallery at Gezairi Building
The Institute of Art in the Arab World (IAAW) at the Lebanese American University and the Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF) are proud to present Women’s Agency in Arab Art: Kinship, Education, and Political Activism: a panel discussion and exhibition that sheds light on the complex trajectories and contributions of pioneering Arab women artists born between 1905 and 1948.
The Panel Discussion Room 904, AKSOB building
A panel discussion will take place on April 14 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. ahead of the exhibition’s official opening.Moderated by Dr. Yasmine Taan, the round table discussion will feature the following esteemed speakers:
- May Muzaffar: Iraqi Poet and Writer: “Living with Rafa Nasiri”
- Ruba Salim: Iraqi-German, Daughter of Nazar Salim and Niece of Naziha Salim: “The Salim Art Family and Naziha Salim”
- Vera Tamari: Palestinian Artist, Educator and Curator: “The Symbolic Power of Art: My Career as an Artist and Educator”
- Dr. Mona Knio: Lebanese Artist and Associate Professor of Theater at USEK: “Art, Agency, and Education at the Beirut College for Women”
| Time | Speakers |
|---|---|
| 3:30 – 3:45 PM |
Welcoming Speech & Introduction
|
| 3:45 – 4:00 PM | May Muzaffar – Iraqi Poet and Writer: “Living with Rafa Nasiri” |
| 4:00 – 4:15 PM | Ruba Salim – Iraqi-German, Daughter of Nazar Salim and Niece of Naziha Salim: “The Salim Art Family and Naziha Salim” |
| 4:15 – 4:30 PM | Vera Tamari – Palestinian Artist, Educator and Curator: “The Symbolic Power of Art: My Career as an Artist and Educator” |
| 4:30 – 4:45 PM | Dr. Mona Knio – Lebanese Artist and Associate Professor of Theater at USEK: “Art, Agency, and Education at the Beirut College for Women” |
| 4:45 – 5:00 PM | Q&A Session |
The Exhibition The Art Gallery, Gezairi building
The exhibition will explore how kinship, political engagement, and educational access intersected with artistic production across key periods in modern Arab history. It will feature 39 artworks by 19 modernist women artists and educators from Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Morocco, many of whom played central roles in the development of influential movements such as the Baghdad Modern Art Group, Art et Liberté, the Contemporary Art Group in Egypt, and the Houroufia movement.
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 5:30 PM | Gather at the Art Gallery, Gezairi building, LAU Beirut |
| 5:40 PM | Ms. Mayssam Ezzedine, Master of Ceremony, introduces the speakers |
| 5:45 PM | President Chaouki Abdallah’s speech |
| 5:50 PM | Dr. Bassel Dalloul’s speech |
| 5:55 PM | Dr. Yasmine Taan’s speech |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail |
The exhibition will be open daily from April 15 to 24, between 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Art Gallery in Gezairi Building, Beirut campus.