Raya Kassisieh's Solo Exhibition at Hunna Art Gallery Explores Memory, Grief, and Palestinian Heritage
Raya Kassisieh's exhibition titled 'So expansive, you and I become null' is currently on display at Hunna Art Gallery in Kuwait until 30 January. This showcase acts as both a tribute and a love letter to her deceased grandmother, Claudette, while delving into themes of Palestinian heritage and shared grief. Kassisieh's artworks examine contrasts, including 'Before I knew you' (2024), which features Claudette's imprint on copper plates, and 'Do you see her?' (2024), showcasing her silhouette on a corset. The 3D-printed piece 'Bad Dreams' (2024) captures shifting emotions, while 'Stacked, a mound of us' (2024) responds to imagery from Gaza. The sculptures 'Close, Closer and Closed' (2024) and earlier creations like 'Man-Hours' (2020–22) highlight the delicacy of memory, with curator Nadine Khalil emphasizing Kassisieh's physical expressions.
Key facts
- Raya Kassisieh's solo exhibition 'So expansive, you and I become null' is on view at Hunna Art Gallery in Kuwait
- The exhibition runs until 30 January
- The show serves as a memorial to Kassisieh's late grandmother Claudette, reflecting on Palestinian heritage and loss
- Works include 'Before I knew you' (2024), 'Do you see her?' (2024), 'Bad Dreams' (2024), and 'Stacked, a mound of us' (2024)
- Kassisieh explores dualities between turmoil and softness, fragility and strength, and figurative versus abstract expressions
- Curator Nadine Khalil notes the act of becoming is also a gesture towards unravelling
- The exhibition features a 3D-printed self-portrait, copper plates, UV printing on a vintage corset, and bronze sculptures
- A piece references an image from Gaza of a father carrying his son's remains in a plastic bag
Entities
Artists
- Raya Kassisieh
- Nadine Khalil
Institutions
- Hunna Art Gallery
- Canvas
Locations
- Kuwait