ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Nour Jaouda's first UK institutional show at Spike Island explores materiality and memory

exhibition · 2026-04-20

Nour Jaouda, a Libyan artist, is showcasing her inaugural institutional exhibition in the UK, titled Matters of Time, at Spike Island in Bristol, which will be open until 11 January 2025. The exhibition highlights her textile and metal sculptures that delve into themes of presence, absence, and the concept of time. At the entrance, a bronze rail presents fabric offcuts in Remnants of Tomorrow (2025). Six wall installations utilize naturally dyed fabrics to create a curtain-like ambiance. The centerpiece, The iris grows on both sides of the fence, features a bronze framework with a khayamiya canopy, crafted in collaboration with six artisans from Cairo. Additionally, three bronze sculptures, An echo has no shadows, reflect the aftermath of events, while the dark tent canopy showcases the Faqqua Iris pattern, symbolizing resilience. Jaouda's artistic process encompasses dyeing, cutting, and fabric assembly.

Key facts

  • Nour Jaouda's first institutional show in the UK is at Spike Island in Bristol
  • The exhibition Matters of Time runs through 11 January 2025
  • Works include textile and metal sculptures and installations
  • A central installation features a khayamiya tent made with six Cairo craftsmen
  • The tent displays a pattern of the Faqqua Iris, the Palestinian national flower
  • Jaouda splits her time between London and Cairo
  • Wall pieces use heat-pressed fabrics in earthy tones, hanging from metal rods
  • Bronze sculptures of stacked chairs complement the tent's communal themes

Entities

Artists

  • Nour Jaouda
  • Orit Gat

Institutions

  • Spike Island
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • Bristol
  • UK
  • London
  • Cairo
  • Egypt
  • Occupied West Bank
  • Palestine

Sources