Art Her Way at Kulturnest, Beirut

Kulturnest is please to announce Art Her Way, a collective hybrid exhibition celebrating women's rights, gender equality, and empowerment. This vibrant cultural event showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions, each echoing the theme of the 2024 International Women's Day: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. From physical to digital art forms, the exhibition highlights the unique perspectives and creative voices of 75 local and international artists, championing inclusivity and amplifying marginalized voices.

Featured artists: Pamela Chrabieh, George Khoury/Phat2, Aida Rubeiz, Yara Loucas, Maral Maniss, Chloe Sleilati, Marwa Abou Khalil, May Hamdan, Karim Dagher, Fadia Abou Haidar, Rima Ghanem, Marilyne Khoury, Rima Rizkallah, Amira Al Zein, Laila Chehab, Zahraa Sbaiti, Clara Choueiry, Nada Raphael, Carole Ingea, Zeina Chehab, Lama Mansour, Nada Karam, Mona Hawa, Myçal El Khouri, Maya Nassereldine, Vanessa Kordahi, Lesly Akl, Carole Nassif, Rayya Nizar Salim, Yara Fakih, Olga Safa, Lucy Pochoglian/Ardziv, Loulou Bissat, Zeina Zaki, Devika Menon, Roula-Maria Dib, Nadia Wardeh, Maris van Nijhuis, Myriam Thomas, Nora Lebbos, Maria Kerj, Lucy Ibrahim, Christina Abou Jaoude, Sarah Haidar, Courtney Bonneau, Sara Taleb, Layal Khatib, Ramona Rizk, Vergine Soussani, Joelle Hasna, Eily Sayegh, Romy Makdissi, Nohad Dagher, Ghada Hamawi, Sarah Lécuyer, Viktoriia Kolozian, Mary Kaady, Rosane Chawi, Samia Hasan, Maria Azar, Racha Hage Chahine, Maya Tohme, Yulik Aleksandrova, Hiba Jammoul, Yasmine Alrifaai, Faten Hamdan, Dima Nachawi, Judy Bou Chebl, Rita Nasr, Claude Nakhle, Minas Mouchian, Rym Zawk, Hadeel Al-Kadasi, Joelle Saab, Rafka Abou Salem.

@thekulturnest

**Art Her Way at Kulturnest, Beirut** - Poster

INTERVIEW

The theme for the 2024 International Women's Day is "Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress." As a women-led institution, what is Kulturnesttake on this theme? And how do you implement it in your everyday practice?

As a women-led institution, Kulturnest wholeheartedly embraces the theme for the 2024 International Women's Day, "Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress." We believe that investing in women is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the advancement of society as a whole. In our everyday practice, we prioritize creating opportunities for women artists, providing them with platforms to showcase their talents, amplify their voices, and contribute to meaningful dialogues on gender equality and women's empowerment. We implement this by curating exhibitions, organizing events, collaborating with women artists & women-based creative enterprises, displaying unique or limited edition handmade pieces by women artists in our cultural space's concept store, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where women can thrive professionally and creatively.

Art Her Way at Kulturnest, Beirut @ Kulturnest

On the occasion of the 2024 International Women's Day, you will be opening the exhibition Art Her Way. How does this exhibition contribute to the broader conversation surrounding women's rights, gender equality, and empowerment, particularly in the context of Lebanon and the global community?

Through the diverse range of artistic expressions showcased in the exhibition, the exhibition aims to challenge stereotypes, highlight diverse perspectives, and inspire critical reflection on issues affecting women's lives. By bringing together 75 local and international artists, Art Her Way creates a space for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy, fostering solidarity and collective action towards gender equality and women's empowerment.
The theme of the Art Her Way exhibition is both timeless and timely:

Timeless Aspect: Women's rights and gender equality have been perennial issues throughout history, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The struggle for gender equity is an ongoing journey that has persisted across generations and societies.
Timely Aspect: Amid conflict and crisis, the voices of women are often marginalized or silenced, making the theme of women's empowerment and gender equality particularly urgent in war-torn regions like Lebanon. While survival may be the primary concern for many in such environments, the arts have a unique ability to provide solace, healing, and a sense of community amidst adversity.
By elevating the voices and experiences of women through art, the Art Her Way exhibition shines a spotlight on their resilience, agency, and contributions to society, challenging stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive and equitable future.

With 75 local and international artists participating in the exhibition, how were the featured artists selected, and what criteria were considered during the selection process?

The selection process for the featured artists in the Art Her Way exhibition was rigorous and inclusive. Following a call for participation, we received 271 applications. We considered various criteria, including artistic talent and merit, thematic relevance, diversity of perspectives, and representation of different backgrounds and identities. Our goal was to ensure a balanced representation of emerging and established artists, local and international voices, and a wide range of artistic mediums and styles. Ultimately, the selected artists embody the exhibition's vision and commitment.

Can you elaborate on how the Art Her Way exhibition aims to champion inclusivity and amplify marginalized voices within the showcased artworks? And what is the ultimate goal or message you want to communicate?

The Art Her Way exhibition aims to champion inclusivity and amplify marginalized voices within the showcased artworks by providing a platform for artists to share their visions, narratives, and experiences. Through their art, these artists challenge societal norms, confront stereotypes, and advocate for social change - mainly when it comes to a) deconstructing traditional gender roles and identity and depicting non-confirming gender identities or portraying women in roles traditionally associated with men, challenging stereotypes about femininity and masculinity; b) addressing issues related to women's rights and empowerment such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, women's participation in public life, women's activism and resilience in the face of adversity, etc. challenging the perception of women as passive victims; c) using their platforms to advocate for greater acceptance and equality - through painting, sculpture, digital art, illustration, etc., several artists challenge heteronormative attitudes and celebrate diverse sexual and gender identities; d) using their work to comment on political and social issues, including corruption, sectarianism, the impact of wars/conflicts, and the ongoing crisis.
The ultimate goal of the exhibition is to spark meaningful conversations, inspire empathy and understanding, and catalyze action toward creating a more equitable and just society. We aim to communicate a message of solidarity, empowerment, and resilience, highlighting the strength and creativity of artists in driving positive change.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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