Zawyeh Gallery: The Land and I Nabil Anani
In this captivating exhibition at Zawyeh Gallery, located in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue arts hub, Nabil Anani draws inspiration from the land, focusing on landscapes for over twenty years. In The Land and I, Anani depicts himself as deeply connected to the earth he illustrates, showcasing how the land shapes his identity and the lives of its people.
The exhibition highlights Anani’s vibrant, textured paintings of the Palestinian landscape, celebrating his vision of a free Palestine, enriched by lush nature devoid of checkpoints, barriers, and settlements. By integrating organic materials, Anani uses the landscape as a tangible element on his canvas. His artworks incorporate natural materials such as wood, straw, dried herbs, seeds, quinoa, and spices, infusing his pieces with the essence of the earth he passionately represents. Grounding his art in the land’s materiality, Anani actively resists colonial erasure of the Palestinian landscape, emphasizing the themes of attachment, belonging, and continuity.
Anani’s work invites viewers to see Palestine as a living entity that breathes and moves, reflecting the deep connection between its geography and its people. He dissolves the barriers between the inhabitants and their environment, presenting them as a unified entity with a shared history, present, and vision for the future. For Anani, the land serves as a witness to the Palestinian struggle for freedom, so he intertwines the people with the landscape.
His portrayals of olive groves, trees, and rural vistas illustrate the close relationship between Palestinians and nature, which has been disrupted by occupation. This spiritual bond represents a form of resistance and resilience amidst the ongoing devastation of Palestinian homes, villages, and natural landscapes. Anani perceives the Palestinian land not merely as a backdrop but as an active participant in the narrative of Palestine that culminates in liberation.
The Land and I is a powerful commentary on the interconnectedness of Anani’s identity as a Palestinian and his quest for freedom. Through his beautifully crafted landscapes, Anani connects himself and the Palestinian people to their homeland, asserting their presence while envisioning a hopeful future.
The exhibition, The Land and I, featuring Nabil Anani, will be held at the Zawyeh Gallery from September 29, 2024, to January 26, 2025.
