Lawrie Shabibi presents the debut solo exhibition of Dima Srouji, titled ‘Charts for a Resurrection,’ from May 7 until July 6, 2024.
In this exhibition, Srouji’s work transcends traditional boundaries, merging art, architecture, and research to offer political commentary and shape urban environments. Collaborating with archaeologists, anthropologists, and artisans, she crafts installations, products, and writings that explore identity, globalisation, and displacement. Through diverse mediums like glass, text, and film, Srouji delves into themes of ground, objects, and living archives, seeking moments of imaginary liberation within historical strata.
The exhibition comprises two distinct spaces: the expansive terrain and the intimate chapel, each housing installations and archival prints blending historical artefacts with fictional archaeological sites.
In the larger space, stone-carved windows with coloured glass envision future archaeological monuments in Palestine, incorporating the traditional Qamariya technique. Nine-square grid installations depict the surface and underground layers of the earth, revealing partially excavated glass vessels and complex strata, including iconic structures like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock.
‘Maternal Labour’ celebrates women who excavated land labelled as ‘basket girls,’ extracting artefacts for Western institutions.
‘The Red River,’ featuring suspended hand-blown glass sculptures, reflects on the Belus River’s significance in glass-making and its pollution by nearby industries, symbolising the broader memory of Palestine.
The chapel-like space houses replicas of archaeological vessels, offering a sanctuary for mourning and meditation amidst Palestine’s tragedy. Here, Srouji imagines the afterlives of the departed and envisions a liberated future Palestine through fictional artefacts, fostering healing and reflection.
About Dima Srouji
Dima Srouji, born in Palestine in 1990, is a Yale School of Architecture graduate and leads MA City Design studios at the Royal College of Art. She delves into the cultural significance of the ground, employing mediums like glass, text, and film to question cultural heritage in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine. Collaborating with various experts, including archaeologists and sound designers, her work has been showcased internationally, including at the Sharjah Art Biennial and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Srouji’s pieces reside in permanent collections at the Corning Museum of Glass and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
Location: Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai
Dates: May 7 – July 6, 2024.