This installation examines the intricate interplay of an individual's social and political identities, uncovering unique forms of discrimination and privilege. Within the confined gallery space, the art pieces harmonize conflicting ideologies: oppression vs. empowerment and repression vs. expression. This juxtaposition invites us to reconsider our definitions of these concepts within the framework of contemporary socio-cultural norms, transcending gender and orientation.
At its core, the exhibit portrays nightmares as manifestations of the collective unconscious, guiding us on a journey of self-discovery and conscious awareness. In this narrative, Lilitu emerges as a symbol of the subliminal, shepherding the viewer through a transformative journey.
Ultimately, Lilitu serves as a lens to explore and challenge the principles of intersectional feminism* and the metaphysical realm, provoking thought and reflection on the complex layers of identity and experience.
Saturday, July 27: Exhibition Opening 3-7pm EST
Sunday, July 28: 10am-5pm EST
Monday, July 29: 11am-6:30pm EST
Tuesday, July 30: 11am-6:30pm EST
Ikebana workshop with Philia Flora 6:30-8pm EST
Wednesday, July 31: 11am-6:30pm EST
Thursday, Aug 1: 11am-6:30pm EST
Black Moon Lilith Sphere
Hand-painted imagery invites the viewer to contemplate their own dreams and nightmares, potentially unveiling a concealed aspect of themselves eager to emerge.
By establishing a connection with their unconscious, they are guided on a journey of self-discovery.
Hand-built and painted ceramic sphere
13” x 13”
Oppression
Cultural Shackles and Submissive Blindness
An exploration of the impact that culture and upbringing have on an individual’s life. The artwork reflects the complex relationship between personal identity and the constraints imposed by cultural/societal norms.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Silent Torment
The repeated hands symbolize the cycle of abuse, conveying its unrelenting nature and the sense of being trapped in an endless cycle.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Subliminal Messaging
The Night Intruder
Lilitu passes off a black sphere, representing the enigmatic symbol of Black Moon Lilith. This sphere acts as a metaphorical embodiment of the darkest aspects of the figure’s psyche, the repressed and suppressed parts of her identity that manifest in her nightmares.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Revival of the Unconscious
The figure portrayed gradually develops eyes, symbolizing her growing awareness and ability to confront the nightmares that have haunted her. An evolution from a state of vulnerability to a newfound strength and self-understanding.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Awakening
Journey Toward Self-Understanding
The figure experiences a range of emotions and thoughts, grappling with the intricate and tangled nature of her internal dialogue.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Navigating a Sea of Veiled Eyes
She navigates her evolving sense of self while balancing personal growth, with a desire to stay connected to her cultural roots.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Proclaim
Gaslighting vs Inner Truth
The complex and disorienting experience where individuals seeking help are met with disbelief, manipulation, and invalidation. The blindfolded eyes signify how the figure’s perception of reality is clouded as she questions her own experiences and sanity. The repetition of imagery throughout the artwork emphasizes the cyclical nature of gaslighting and the enduring impact it can have. The eye’s presence within the mouth signifies the figure’s eventual realization and trust in her own inner knowledge.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Dismissed Echoes
Her appeals were persistently disregarded or dismissed, often unjustly attributing blame to her.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Collision
Breaking Cultural Shackles
The transformative odyssey of liberating oneself from societal expectations and limitations. The illustration portrays the end of the ongoing struggle between the familiar and her individual identity.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Empowered Resilience
Asserting her personal power by refusing to feel shame, or remaining silent as a victim.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Empowerment
Transcending Shadow
At the heart of the composition stands the figure, exuding grace and fortitude as she raises aloft a black sphere. This sphere, the embodiment of Black Moon Lilith, symbolizes feminine resilience and rebellion, its six eyes a testament to the wisdom garnered through trials.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
Perceived a Demon - Lilitu
Individuals who liberate themselves from societal limitations are frequently portrayed as either deranged or malevolent.
Sumi-e ink on washi
22” x 11”
Smoked ash frame (42” x 27” exterior dimensions)
About the artist:
Zeina Nahas, a Syrian-Canadian artist, currently residing in Toronto, captures the emotional essence of the human experience and the life of objects, inviting a journey of self-discovery through her work. Zeina finds her muse in the shadows that encompass her existence. Her art is a deep exploration of the human experience, a testament to her unwavering belief that we are shaped by emotional expression, self-discovery, and the unfolding of our innermost selves. She exposes the unseen and intangible facets of life through fragments of sound, sight, and touch. Her artistic expressions lead viewers on a transformative journey, encouraging them to confront the depths of their emotions and embark on a path of self-discovery.
She has exhibited as part of DesignTO with her solo show, Melancholy, and internationally as part of 1000 Vases in Paris.
*Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, intersectional feminism is, “a prism for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other.”
“All inequality is not created equal,” she says. An intersectional approach shows the way that people’s social identities can overlap, creating compounding experiences of discrimination.
“We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality or immigrant status. What’s often missing is how some people are subject to all of these, and the experience is not just the sum of its parts,” Crenshaw said.
Intersectional feminism centres the voices of those experiencing overlapping, concurrent forms of oppression in order to understand the depths of the inequalities and the relationships among them in any given context.
source - www.unwomen.org