Sharjah Art Museum is hosting the annual “Lasting Impressions” series, dedicated to the Palestinian-American artist Samia Halaby. This major retrospective exhibition, curated by Inass Yassin, showcases over 200 of Halaby’s diverse works spanning six decades, including abstract paintings, digital pieces, and documentary drawings. The exhibition runs from September 20, 2023, to January 7, 2024, at the Sharjah Art Museum.
Born in Jerusalem in 1936 and currently based in New York, Halaby’s art reflects her journey from experiencing exile and displacement in 1948 to advocating tirelessly for Palestinian and human rights. Her works, including those memorialising the Kafr Qasem Massacre, demonstrate her deep connection to her roots and people’s history.
Halaby’s contributions to the language of abstraction mark her as a significant figure in the art world. Her methodical dedication and rigorous exploration of abstraction have positioned her as a pioneer in the field.
Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority, emphasised Halaby’s profound influence on the global and regional art scene. She stated that the exhibition showcases Halaby’s genius and enduring impact.
The “Lasting Impressions” series, initiated in 2010, has been a platform to highlight the contributions of significant Arab artists to global art and culture. With Samia Halaby’s work taking centre stage, Sharjah Art Museums reaffirms its commitment to supporting and promoting distinguished artists from the Arab world and beyond.
Halaby, reflecting on the exhibition’s title, “Lasting Impressions,” pointed out the impact her work has had on Arab art history and today’s youth. She sees her art as a conversation between her intuitive inner self and her scientifically inclined conscious self, hoping viewers will recognise their own intuitions and experiences in her work.
This series has previously celebrated the works of artists such as Abdulqader Al Rais, Najat Mekky, George Bahgoury, Noor Ali Rashid, Thuraya Al Baqsami, Ismail Shammout, Tamam El Ekhal, Baya Mahieddine, among others.
About Samia Halaby
Samia Halaby, a well-known figure in contemporary abstract art for nearly six decades, is celebrated globally as a pioneer in her field. Her paintings, influenced by nature, early Islamic architecture, and Soviet avant-garde movements, have garnered international recognition. Displaced from Palestine in 1948, Halaby’s journey led her to the American Midwest, where she pursued abstract art amidst the marginalisation of female artists. She believes her art can transform perceptions, influencing education, technology, and society. Alongside her artistic achievements, she’s a prolific writer, educator, and activist, making significant contributions to Palestinian art history. Her work is featured in museums worldwide, and her influence continues growing in Arab and Western art circles.
Location: Sharjah Art Museum
Dates: September 20, 2023 – January 7, 2024