Interview | Naima Morelli

Published! Art Curators as Public Intellectuals on The Markaz Review

09-10-2023

Central Asia, Interview, Middle East, News, Published

I wrote a piece for The Markaz Review, wondering whether curators who organize international exhibitions and develop books aren’t in fact public intellectuals. With interviews to @roseissaprojects @punkorientalism @farah.abushullaih

“Contrary to popular belief, it remains true that the specter of the intellectual still haunts the art world. The only thing that has changed is the mask they now hide behind — that of ‘curator.’ The current dislike of the word intellectual runs just as deep as our love for the word “curator.” ‘

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Libyan art scene on Hadara

By: Naima Morelli

13-09-2023

Interview, Libya, News, North Africa, Published, Reportage, Research

My latest story: “Contemporary Libyan art is looking back at its recent and ancient history”, has just been published on the beautiful Hadara Magazine.

I spoke with curator Najlaa Elageli, artists Tewa Barnosa, Shefa Salem and many others.

Here is the link to the piece

Published: Food and the Palestinian diaspora for The New Arab

By: Naima Morelli

31-08-2023

Interview, Middle East, News, Published

Fruits weave together ancestral longing, anchoring us to home. ‘Double Blessings’ is an exhibition in Chicago that explore this concept through the work four artists who are connected to Palestine. Their art tells stories of consumption and lineage, with food as a common but diverse language.

I have interviewed Noel Maghathe, the curator of the show, for The New Arab.

Here is the link to the article

Published: Wonder Cabinet in Bethlehem for MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

29-08-2023

Essay, Interview, Middle East, News, Published

With the new art space Wonder Cabinet in Bethlehem, Palestinian architects Elias and Yousef Anastas,are recovering, treasuring and expanding the genius loci of the West Bank.

The kind of impact that the art space is hoping to have is twofold: encouraging the Palestinian art scene to grow beyond Ramallah, while also attracting creatives from around the world to Bethlehem.

I have interview them for Middle East Monitor.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with The Palestinian Museum director for MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

07-08-2023

Essay, Interview, Middle East, News, Published

Duty and care are the words that would best describe the approach of Dr Adila Laidi-Hanieh towards the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit.

She is stepping down as director of the museum at the end of this month, and she reflected on her years in charge, changing the institution from the inside out. I have interviewed her for Middle East Monitor

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Marwa Benhalim on The New Arab

By: Naima Morelli

03-08-2023

Interview, Libya, News, Published

Artist Marwa Benhalim told me there is an invisible line dividing Libya. I tried to guess what it was. But of the many divisions splitting Libya in two, I wouldn’t have ever thought about this one: couscous and rice.

She explains to me that on the western side of Libya, there are semolina fields, and all the main dishes are based on couscous.

On the eastern side, it’s all rice crops, and you can find rice-based recipes: “The couscous side of Libya was influenced by commerce with Morocco and Tunisia, the other side had rice comes from Asia through Egypt. Trade stopped in the middle because there is a very large desert,” she says. “Through the food people eat, you can really understand the history of a country.”

I have interviewed the artist for The New Arab.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Palestine underworld with artist Adam HajYahia on Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

04-07-2023

English, Interview, Middle East, News, Published

I have interviewed independent researcher, curator and artist Adam HajYahia for Al-Monitor.

Adam’s exploration of structural and hierarchical violence and its intersections with capitalist, colonial, sexual and social dynamics took material shape recently in an exhibition called “Carnal Politics: Sex, Desire and Anti-Colonial Deviance in Mandate Palestine.”

Here is the link to the article

Published! Alessandra Ferrini and the relationship Libya-Italy on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

03-07-2023

Interview, Italy, Libya, News, North Africa, Published

The work of Alessandra Ferrini [Image courtesy of the artist]

Middle East Monitor has just published my latest article titled: “Artist Alessandra Ferrini explores the complex relationship between Libya and Italy.”

The article is based on an interview with London-based Italian artist Alessandra Ferrini, who deepens the conversation around colonial and recent Libyan history, creating work about the manipulation of information, colonial memory, trauma and reparations.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Satya Cipta on Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

06-06-2023

Indonesia, Interview, News, Published

Plural Art Mag has just published my interview with Balinese artist Satya Cipta. I visited her studio back in February, during my latest research trip to Indonesia, and was completely struck by the potency of her imagery.

Here is the link to the piece

Published: Tripoli’s Art House for The New Arab

By: Naima Morelli

23-05-2023

English, Interview, Libya, News, North Africa, Published

Nessuna descrizione della foto disponibile.

I’m writing about Libyan contemporary art once again, this time for The New Arab, a magazine I regularly read, and I’m happy to start collaborating with.

The piece is based on an interview with Libyan curator Wareda Elmehdawi, who seeks to shed light on the richness of Libyan art history through her family’s work with the historical Tripoli Art House.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Arab American identities on Middle East Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

28-04-2023

Collection, Interview, Middle East, News, Published

Works by Zeinab Saab as part of A thought is a memory, curated by Noel Maghathe. Presented by CUE Art Foundation, 2023 [Photo by Filip Wolak]

My latest piece for Middle East Monitor is about a collective show at CUE Art Foundation in New York reflecting on the hybrid identities of Arab Americans.

Called “A thought is a memory”, the show is curated by Noel Maghathe and runs until 13 May.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Yeoh Choo Kuan on ArtAsiaPacific

By: Naima Morelli

12-04-2023

English, Interview, Malaysia, Published, Review, Visit

From spiritual heights to the depths of the flesh, Malaysian artist Yeoh Choo Kuan has filtered the broad spectrum of human emotions and tension through the medium of abstract painting.

I have always felt a special kinship with the artwork of artist Yeoh Choo Kuan. A few years ago I wrote the texts for his monograph published by Richard Koh Fine Art, and a couple of months ago I have interviewed him for ArtAsiaPacific about his recent Singapore show.

Here is the link to the article

Naima Morelli

Published! Art Curators as Public Intellectuals on The Markaz Review

Published! Libyan art scene on Hadara

Published: Food and the Palestinian diaspora for The New Arab

Published: Wonder Cabinet in Bethlehem for MEMO

Published! Interview with The Palestinian Museum director for MEMO

Published! Interview with Marwa Benhalim on The New Arab

Published! Palestine underworld with artist Adam HajYahia on Al-Monitor

Published! Alessandra Ferrini and the relationship Libya-Italy on MEMO

Published! Interview with Satya Cipta on Plural Art Mag

Published: Tripoli’s Art House for The New Arab

Published! Arab American identities on Middle East Monitor

Published! Interview with Yeoh Choo Kuan on ArtAsiaPacific

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