Research | Naima Morelli

Published! Writers retelling Libya’s history on Al-Jazeera

01-09-2022

Libya, News, North Africa, Published, Research

Two Libyan women walk past graffiti depicting Muammar Gaddafi

My first article for Al Jazeera has just been published. It’s called “The writers retelling Libya’s history through a feminist lens” and tells how Libya’s women novelists (but not exclusively them) are reframing the country’s stories in a post-Gaddafi era.

I worked on it for a long time, and it was very satisfying to get to write a longform piece with a bit more of a narrative style. Also, I got to know this county a little deeper, not just through its visual art but also through literature. For the piece I have interviewed, among others, writers Kawther Eljehmi, Maryem Salama, Manuela Piemonte Mahbuba Khalifa, and Mariza d’Anna, and publisher Ghassan Fergiani.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Patrick Flores on ArtAsiaPacific

By: Naima Morelli

03-08-2022

Interview, Philippines, Published, Research, Taiwan

I’m really happy to share this incredibly interesting interview with curator Patrick Flores, whose curatorial work and research I greatly admire, and never fails to expands my imagination and understanding of the role of contemporary art.

Also, it’s my first collaboration with ArtAsiaPacific. Being one of the most authoritative magazines about contemporary art in Asia, it’s a pleasure and an honour to have contributed with my writing!

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Palestine at the 2022 Venice Biennale

By: Naima Morelli

29-04-2022

Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research, Review, Visit

Nameer Qassim, “Enough”, 2020, Acrylic on canvas, 100x100 cm [Courtesy of The Palestinian Museum US]

Curated by Nancy Nesvet, head curator at the Palestine Museum in the US, the exhibition “From Palestine With Art” features 19 Palestinian artists from Palestine and across the diaspora.

“This is the strongest Palestinian presentation ever,” said Faisal Saleh, director of the Palestine Museum US. “In terms of the size, and the boldness of its pieces, it is a very significant, strong presentation. I think this is going to have a very big impact and get the Palestinian name out in a big way.”

I have reviewed the show for Middle East Monitor.

Here is the link to the piece

Published: Beirut artists and nonconformance for Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

14-03-2022

English, Interview, Middle East, Published, Research

For my new piece for Al-Monitor I speak with a comic book artist and a photographer/editor about the queer community in Lebanon – and in Beirut specifically – and how it has changed over time.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Southeast Asian Artists Reframing Mythologies on Cobo

By: Naima Morelli

07-02-2022

Burma, English, Essay, Indonesia, News, Published, Research, Singapore

In Southeast Asia, several artists are looking deep into local traditions and narratives, giving the mythical and historical figures obscured by colonialism, patriarchy, and consumerism, their rightful place.

Their works challenge Western-centric and patriarchal narratives, opening up new interpretations for the viewers. Each artist is bringing forth a different yet very relevant narrative.

I wrote about four of my favourite artists from the region working on these themes for CoBo Social, but truly I’m thinking to write an entire book on the subject, or at least curate a show! In the meantime, here is a taste of it.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Nada Harib for Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

24-01-2022

English, Essay, Libya, Research

Al-Monitor has just published my interview with Libyan photographer and photojournalist Nada Harib. Her work is all about hope in the face of adversity and beauty in the midst of pain.

With her photographs widely exhibited in and outside Libya, from the Institut du Monde Arabe in France to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam, Harib’s work tells stories that have been forgotten or repressed during her country’s many turbulent phases.

It’s another step for me and Al-Monitor’s readers to learn more about the culture and humanity of Libya, beyond the news reports.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai on Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

01-12-2021

Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research

The webmagazine Al-Monitor has just published my piece on Palestinian gallery Zawyeh founded in 2013 in Ramallah, which recently relocated to Dubai.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Libyan artist Shefa Salem on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

24-11-2021

English, Interview, Libya, News, Published, Research

In the show “I am Libya”, painter Shefa Salem presents outstanding canvases, demonstrating that the public is eager to learn about the ancient history of Libya

What does it mean to be Libyan? How to reconstruct a sense of belonging for the country and its people, starting from the deepest roots of Libyan culture, while preserving diversity?

These are the questions that artist, Shefa Salem, is grappling with for her first solo show I am Libya, which took place a few weeks ago in the Barah Arts and Culture Centre in Benghazi and will travel to Tripoli’s old city at the beginning of December.

I have interviewed the artist for Middle East Monitor.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! The Balinese art scene on Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

16-11-2021

English, Indonesia, Interview, Published, Research

The Singaporean art magazine Plural has just published my latest piece called “Is there a silver lining to the lack of tourism for the Balinese art scene?”

Here I’m interviewing the directors of three different art spaces, Cush Cush Gallery, Kayu, Ketemu and V-Room, to garner their experience with the pandemic shifts in the art scene, and how this is affecting artists and art spaces alike.

Here is the link to the article

Published! Lebanese Feminist comic book on Middle East Eye

By: Naima Morelli

04-11-2021

English, Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research

My fifth piece for Middle East Eye is about a Lebanese comic book which tells forgotten stories of country’s feminist struggle. Called ‘Where to, Marie?’, this comic book distils a century of overlooked feminist battles through the stories of five fictional characters. I have interviewed the authors.

Here is the link to the piece

Interview with Océane Sailly founder of Hunna/ هُنَّ on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

27-08-2021

Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Research

Océane Sailly, Founder and Director of HUNNA / هُنَّ in front of Alia's Zaal painting

Many of us have misconceptions and preconceived ideas about the art scene in the Gulf countries. Hence, when we see the work of a gallery like Hunna/ هُنَّ — founded this year and representing eight women artists from the Gulf — we open our eyes in disbelief.

How can these artists possibly talk about such thorny issues, like questions of power or the female body, and get away with it? We speak about it on Middle East Monitor with the founder of Hunna, gallerist Océane Sailly

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Grassroot art spaces in Libya on MEE

By: Naima Morelli

26-07-2021

Interview, Libya, North Africa, Published, Research

Despite a lack of cultural spaces, as well as ongoing political and economic instability, Libyan artists are determined to nurture their diverse arts scene.

I have spoken to a few of these important figures, working from Tripoli, Benghazi or from abroad, for Middle East Eye.

Here is the link to the piece

Naima Morelli

Published! Writers retelling Libya’s history on Al-Jazeera

Published! Interview with Patrick Flores on ArtAsiaPacific

Published! Palestine at the 2022 Venice Biennale

Published: Beirut artists and nonconformance for Al-Monitor

Published! Southeast Asian Artists Reframing Mythologies on Cobo

Published! Interview with Nada Harib for Al-Monitor

Published! Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai on Al-Monitor

Published! Interview with Libyan artist Shefa Salem on MEMO

Published! The Balinese art scene on Plural Art Mag

Published! Lebanese Feminist comic book on Middle East Eye

Interview with Océane Sailly founder of Hunna/ هُنَّ on MEMO

Published! Grassroot art spaces in Libya on MEE

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