Gaza Biennale Artist Talk – This is Not A Cultural Event

We invite you to join us in our gallery for a virtual artist talk featuring artists Ashraf Sahweil, Diana Alhosary, Mohammad Alkurd—and Gaza Pavillion organizers Ghanem Al Den and Tasneem Shatat.

Moderated by renowned Palestinian-American abstract artist, scholar, and activist Samia Halaby joining us in-person at Recess. Live translation provided by Farah Barqawi, a Brooklyn-based Palestinian writer, poet, performer, educator and feminist organizer.

The talk will center the overall goals of the Gaza Biennale project, as well as touch upon each artist's own practice and their approach to the open call. Followed by Q&A with audience. In Arabic with English Translation.

About the Speakers

Ghanem Al Den resides in Gaza and is a researcher in the field of visual arts. He has an MA in art education, specializing in drawing and painting. He is Faculty of Art Education at Helwan University in Cairo. Ghanem earned his BA in Art Education at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. His works have been shown in many local and international exhibitions. He is a member of the General Union of Artists Palestinian Plastic Artists, President of the Association of Plastic Artists in the Central Governorate in Gaza, founder of the Palita Group for Contemporary Art - Palestine, a founding member and commissioner of Palestine in the Basmat Group of Arab Plastic Artists In Cairo where he is an exhibition organizer and curator. Ghanem has received many local and international awards and medals.

Tasneem Shahtat is the co-creator of the Gaza Biennale. She began this project as an artist-in-residence with the Al Risan Art Museum (the Forbidden Museum) in April of 2024. She is a mathematics graduate with honors. Despite her interest in genetic engineering, astronomy, and archaeology, she pursued mathematics and took courses in psychology, sociology, and first aid. She has worked on freelance projects and with local institutions, gaining recognition for her organizational skills and ambition.

Participating Artists

Ashraf Sahweil is a painter born in Shati refugee camp in Gaza, lives and works in Gaza. He works as a Director for Gaza Center for Culture and Arts. He is is a journalist specialized in culture and arts activities. Education: 2004 BA in Media, PR - Alaqsa University - Palestine. 1994 Diploma in applicable arts, interior design - Arabic collage, Jordan.

Diana Alhosary born in Gaza in 1988, is a visual artist, trainer, and teacher of fine arts. She works in the field of psychological support using art with educational and cultural institutions such as Tamer and Al-Qattan Foundations, and Save the Children, in addition to practicing photography and design as a hobby. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza (2010).

Mohammad Alkurd was born in 1981 and resides in Gaza. He received a Diploma in Graphic Design from Gaza Training College in 2001, a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education in 2005, and is a Professor of Fine Arts at Al-Aqsa University. Alkurd is a member of the General Union of Palestinian Fine Artists, an administrative member of the Association of Fine Artists in the Central Governorate of Gaza, a member of the Paleta Group for Contemporary Art – Palestine, and a member of the Arab Fine Artists Fingerprints Group.