151 x 245cm. Courtesy the artist.
The Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in Oslo, Norway, presents ‘Bneid Al Gar’, the largest solo exhibition to date of the Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist Alia Farid, who was announced as the third recipient of The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award in 2023. Running from 13 September 2024 to 5 January 2025, the exhibition highlights four of Farid’s major works alongside new pieces on paper, offering a comprehensive view of her evolving artistic practice.
Titled ‘Bneid Al Gar’, which translates to “land of tar” in Arabic, the exhibition draws from Farid’s personal experiences growing up in Kuwait. The title alludes to the oil-stained landscape of her youth, reflecting the artist’s exploration of themes like environmental degradation, migration, and the impact of geopolitical events. Farid’s work spans multiple media, including textiles, drawing, film, and sculpture, all of which are on display.
Key highlights of the exhibition include a series of handwoven and embroidered textile works from the 2023 series ‘Elsewhere’. These tapestries, created in collaboration with weavers in southern Iraq, incorporate symbols and styles inspired by the Palestinian diaspora in Puerto Rico, reflecting a broader exploration of migration and cultural exchange across the Global South. In her sculptures from the series ‘In Lieu of What Is’ (2022), Farid examines the environmental and political consequences of the oil industry in the Gulf region, using large, fountain-like structures to evoke connections to natural bodies of water. Also featured is ‘Palm Orchard’ (2022), an outdoor installation of plastic and LED-rendered palm trees, which highlights the destruction of ecosystems as a result of war and environmental damage.
The exhibition will also showcase her films, including ‘Chibayish’ 2022 (2023), which further explores the loss of intergenerational knowledge through environmental degradation. Together, these works encapsulate Farid’s multifaceted approach to addressing complex socio-political issues.
Curated by Caroline Ugelstad, Director of Collection and Exhibitions at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, and María Inés Rodriguez, Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award Programme (LWAAP) Jury Member and Director of the Walter Leblanc Foundation, ‘Bneid Al Gar’ represents a significant moment in Farid’s career. As Ugelstad explains, the exhibition offers a deep dive into Farid’s practice, demonstrating her unique ability to weave together different visual expressions, craft traditions, and thematic concerns.
Accompanying the exhibition will be a comprehensive catalogue featuring essays by Andrea Andersson, Ruba Katrib, and Maru Pabón, as well as a conversation with María Inés Rodriguez. On Saturday, 14 September 2024, Farid will give an artist talk, offering further insights into her work. This exhibition is presented as part of Farid’s recognition as the 2023 recipient of The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award, which includes a $100,000 honorarium, the exhibition at Henie Onstad, and the acquisition of Farid’s works into the museum’s permanent collection.
About Alia Farid
Alia Farid, based in Kuwait and Puerto Rico, holds a BFA from Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico, an MS in Visual Studies from MIT, and an MA in Museum Studies and Critical Theory from MACBA, Barcelona. In 2023-24, she was the David and Roberta Logie Fellow at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute. Farid has exhibited at prominent institutions including Kunsthalle Basel, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, and Chisenhale Gallery, London. She is also presenting her first public art commission in the Americas through the Stanford Plinth Project, on view at Stanford University from 2023 to 2026.
Location: The Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, Oslo, Norway
Dates: 13 September 2024 to 5 January 2025