Palestinian Diaries

Faten Toubasi

A Space Windows

January 23 – March 14, 2015

Artist talks 5-6pm on Friday January 23rd, with the opening reception following the talks.

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Faten Toubasi is a visual artist and community arts instructor. Toubasi produces artwork that is politically engaged, drawing from current events to bring awareness of the struggles that are ongoing in her homeland of Palestine. She explores the symbols of life, economy, resistance, and concepts of displacement through her art. Toubasi’s current four part project Palestinian Diaries focuses on the suffering of the people of Gaza, and offers narratives not found in mainstream media. The themes she explores are common to all people – freedom, justice, community, and expression.

The first print in the series is Resistance Through Hunger which engages the hunger strike held in 2012 when Palestinian prisoners demanded basic rights while in detention. Uprooted Olives, the second print in the series illustrates how Palestinians are deprived of their main source of income as land is confiscated for settlements. Thirdly, Demolished addresses the the ways that everyday life under occupation is diminished. Toubasi was in Ramallah during the recent war, and created the final print in the series War on Gaza 2014 which highlights the devastation that will take years to rebuild.

Biographies

Toubasi was born in Jerusalem, completed her MFA in Drawing and Painting in Saint Petersburg Russia, and currently lives in Toronto. Working in printmaking, painting, drawing, and embroidery, she is also the recipient of a Platform A, TAC micro-grant with Jumblies Theatre. She has served as a Board member at A Space Gallery, and is an active instructor at Arts Etobicoke. In 2014 she was the keynote speaker and workshop leader at the Rebuilding Alliance event in San Mateo California.