American University Museum Showcases the Experiences of Middle Eastern Women

“I AM,” an exhibit brought to the American University Museum by CARAVAN, lets Middle Eastern women share their own stories through artwork. 

In an attempt to destigmatize ‘Western’ attitudes toward Middle Eastern women, CARAVAN and curator Janet Rady put together a selection of work from 31 artists to emphasize Middle Eastern women’s contributions to global harmony. This show outlines the individual experiences of multiple women to show the diverse perspectives of women in the Middle East instead of stereotyping their experiences.

Marwa Al Khalifa’s Jiwan sends the message of feminine strength and fragility through pearl imagery.

Survival Hoopoe by Hanaa Malallah represents “survival through destruction.” The Hoopoe is a type of bird that appears frequently in Islamic texts, and Malallah uses imagery of this bird in her work for it’s symbolism.

To show age’s affect on identity, Rania Matar contrasts women at different phases in life in her piece, Jacqueline and Juliette, Beirut, Lebanon. 

Zena Assi was inspired by the graffiti in the streets of Beirut for her piece, Al Kouwa Fi Was El Mar2a (The Force is in the Hands of the Woman).

Those are just a few examples of the multimedia pieces in this exhibit that try to “dismantle stereotypes and challenge misconceptions,” according to the museum’s statement of CARAVAN’s mission. The exhibit even includes a game for visitors. Students at the Ahliyyah School for Girls created riddles that match up to works of art throughout “I AM.” 

A must-see at the museum, be sure to catch the show before it moves on October 22nd. This collection gives Middle Eastern women a chance to tell their stories without being watered down. The art confronts the effects of intersectionalism on their identities. It can be hard to understand the everyday lives of others when we get so wrapped up in our own, but “I AM” tells us stories that encourage empathy in an increasingly divided world. 

All photos belong to the author, but permission to use photos of the art has been obtained by the American University Museum.