The garden of the Georg Kolbe Museum is being revitalised with an annual commission by contemporary artists, reinstating its role as a site of artistic production. Curated by Emma Borwieck and Eva da Silva Antunes Alves, the first artist invited for this project is Hoda Tawakol, who created a large-scale textile work designed as a reflective space in the historic sculpture garden.
Tawakol’s installation, ‘Feed Me the Milk of Your Eyes‘ draws inspiration from the museum’s garden. Suspended under a newly erected tent, the piece features a palm crown adorned with sparkling eyes, floating above visitors. Known for her textile works, the German-French artist based in Hamburg uses unconventional materials for outdoor settings, blending textiles, architecture, and sculpture.
Expanding on the garden as a sanctuary, Tawakol associates the palm tree with protection and care, symbolising shade, food, and wood. This tree is also linked to gender themes, as it can change its gender to preserve a palm grove. Tawakol, influenced by the women who shaped her understanding of femininity and motherhood, explores these constructs through textiles and the palm tree motif.
The palm tree also symbolises Tawakol’s identity, connecting her to Egypt, her heritage. While it may appear exotic from a Central European perspective, for Tawakol, it represents a deep-rooted longing for a homeland she has never lived in but feels intrinsically tied to.
The exhibition, titled ‘Roots‘, explores the concept of roots both physically and metaphorically, reflecting the continuous growth of identities and cultures. The narrative, starting with a rootless palm tree in the historical sculpture garden, unfolds themes of longing, memory, similarity, difference, gender, and belonging.
About Hoda Tawakol
Hoda Tawakol studied fine art at the Hochschule für Bildende Kunst in Hamburg. Her sculptural works feature diverse textiles, resin, paper, hair, and wood. The palm tree, a recurring motif, symbolises her identity and her longing for a place she’s never lived. Themes of gender, the body, and motherhood are central to her work. Recently, the Dortmunder Kunstverein held a solo exhibition of her art in 2023. Tawakol has also exhibited at Mathaf Doha, the Museum für Neue Kunst Freiburg, the Museum for Art in Wood (Philadelphia), Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, and other prestigious venues. She lives and works in Hamburg.
Location: Georg Kolbe Museum
Dates: 26 May to 13 October 2024