On June 18th, 2021, Al-Bustan held a gallery opening for our scintillating art exhibit ARTist–Reframed by the up-and-coming, Chicago-based, Arab American photographer Tamara Hijazi. A crowd of over one hundred attended the dymnamic multimedia exhibit, which explored and celebrated the range of identities that exist within the SWANA communities of the United States. The exhibit featured personal portraits of thirteen emerging SWANA artists from the greater Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia areas. Artists featured participated in interviews during their photoshoot, which were then integrated into a creative interview reel and zine. The interviews further explored the themes of identity and belonging, alongside questions of tradition, culture, and creative innovation in their work.
Night of the gallery opening, leaders and contributors to the Philadelphia art scene mingled with students, artists, and friends of Al-Bustan. Many of the featured artists traveled to see the exhibit and to interact with each other for the first time in person. The crowd gathered outside the Hub on the sidewalk to enjoy the warm summer evening, as they munched on sweets, and sipped on jalaab and mint tea. Simultaneously, Miriam Elhajli entertained with a live acoustic performance, showcasing her beautiful poetic blend of Latinx, Arab, and American styles unique to her music.
The evening did not end at the Hub gallery, but proceeded to an afterparty held at the Palestinian-owned restaurant Renata’s Kitchen. Another artist featured in the gallery, DJ NAXÖ laid down their unique blend of Arab beats at the afterparty. An eclectic crowd enjoyed mezza and danced into the night. Even after Renata’s closed its doors many lingered after to listen to and collectively sing North African and Latinx folk music with Miriam and Esraa Warda (an Algerian dancer featured in the exhibit). At the core of the gallery exhibit, was the beautiful diversity which was reflected and amplified by the many backgrounds of those who attended.
After more than a year of pandemic quarantine, Al-Bustan has remerged with our new Executive Director, Mohannad Ghawanmeh, with an exciting vision for the future of Arab arts in Philadelphia, America, and abroad. Al-Bustan’s Hub is a space for the community, for Arabs and non-Arabs to explore connections and celebrate who we are through the arts, culture, and education. ARTist–Reframed is an important step toward Al-Bustan’s reach. We welcome all into our home and serve as an incubator of the Arts.
View the zine and artworks on display for purchase.
To take a look at the spectacular night you can visit our Facebook album for the event here.
