Nabil Anani: In Pursuit of Utopia

The exhibition features the imaginary journey of artist Nabil Anani through the Palestinian landscape. He represents the land as a prosperous thriving place free from occupation; a land that takes pride in its nature and parades it jubilantly; a dream worth to pursuit. He creates the Palestine of his dreams, a utopia inspired by his memories as a child growing up on the hills of Halhoul.

Anani’s work stems from his fascination with the Palestinian landscape and rural life, which are subjects that he has addressed throughout his artistic journey. In this series of work, one can rarely spot a human or their shadow, for the primary focus remains on the aesthetic of the place, giving the audience the chance to ponder and appreciate the scenic terrain.

In this series, he uses strong vibrant colors and mixed natural media, such as straw, spices and herbs that vary in color and texture in addition to dry flowers and plants.
In this exhibition, Anani chases a utopia that resides in the imagination of all Palestinians whether dispossessed from their lands forcefully, confined in small restricted areas or prevented to access different parts of their homeland. Whether he attempts to capture a moment in the future or protest at the brutal Israeli destruction of the land and the livelihood of its people, Anani offers a vision of a better future; a dream of an ideal Palestine worthy of pursuing.