UNC’s Hanes Art Center recently unveiled “Against Erasure”, a photo exhibit that aims to showcase the daily lives of Palestinian people in the early 20th century. The exhibit is part of a larger display of art projects related to Palestine, including a mural created during a Gaza Solidarity Encampment, a narrative painting titled “When Olive Trees Weep”, and an installation of the People’s University to commemorate a year of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The exhibit, created and installed by students of Dr. Nadia Yaqub, uses photos from the book “Against Erasure: A Photographic Memory of Palestine Before the Nakba” to depict life in Mandatory Palestine under British colonial rule. Yaqub stated that the photos show various aspects of daily life, economic factors, and cultural elements. The exhibit also addresses Orientalist Photography and challenges the erasure of Palestinian history.
The unveiling of “Against Erasure” was accompanied by the presentation of “When Olive Trees Weep”, a painting that serves as a call-to-action to end Palestinian mass killing and displacement. The exhibit showcases the rich culture and history of Palestine, aiming to shed light on the beauty and complexity of Palestinian life beyond the violence portrayed in Western media.
Overall, the exhibit seeks to challenge misconceptions and raise awareness about Palestinian history and culture through the powerful medium of photography and art. The collection of artworks serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating the diverse narratives and experiences of different cultures, even in the face of erasure and suppression.
Source
Photo credit www.dailytarheel.com
