The exhibition: Nakba Means a Lot to Me is the result of a research project commissioned by CBK/BKOR (Visual Arts & Public Space Rotterdam) and the Nakba the Disaster working group. "Nakba" means "catastrophe" in Arabic and refers to the forced displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians and the Arab-Israeli conflict that began with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and continues to this day. Over three years, we visited several individuals and families from the Palestinian community in the Rotterdam region in their homes, where we spoke extensively with them, filmed them, and explored various textual and visual representations of concepts such as home, displacement, memory, trauma, identity, family roots, and connection. We also curated the exhibition. Using enlarged versions of Palestinian interiors, we created a theatrical, domestic atmosphere. Paintings and drawings by Finan Ghazal, her daughter Nivien Ragab's culinary skills, and reliefs by Jamal Al Shaabi and his grandson Mohammed Al-Fateh were presented in a spatial installation on photo wallpaper, alongside our new video work: "...Afterwards, No More Palestine." This video offers a compelling glimpse into one of the most catastrophic events in modern history. A loan of objects and memorabilia from various living rooms of Palestinian Rotterdammers served as personal "physical memory" while simultaneously making Palestinian culture and identity visible.

Nakba Means a Lot to Me installation, sculpture, video, photography ,performance , painting. Exhibited Verhalenhuis Belvédère, Rotterdam. Made possible with the generous support of: CBK/BKOR ,Mondriaan Fund.

Nakba Means a Lot to Me,2022, exhibition view Verhalenhuis Belvédère-Rotterdam, photo wallpaper, ultra HD video, loop 23:36, display case with Palestinian objects and memorabilia, furniture. Photo: Joop Reijngoud

Nakba Means a Lot to Me, 2022, exhibition viewVerhalenhuis Belvédère-Rotterdam, Photo: Joop Reijngoud

Nakba Means a Lot to Me, 2022, exhibition viewVerhalenhuis Belvédère-Rotterdam, Photo: Joop Reijngoud

...Afterwards, No More Palestine, video stil.

...Afterwards, No More Palestine, 2022, Ultra HD, total length: 24’ (excerpt 2’30”)

Left: photo wallpaper, photo prints and video of traditional Palestinian pastries by Nivien Ragab. Right: Jamal Al Shaabi, UN administration, Styrofoam and acrylic paint, 150 x 100 x 8 cm. Photo: Joop Reijngoud

Photo wallpaper, paintings and drawings by Finan Ghazal. Photo: Joop Reijngoud

Jaradat family, 2020, photo wallpaper.