Emily Jacir: Europa

This first UK survey of artist Emily Jacir focuses on her dialogue with Europe, Italy and the Mediterranean in particular. Known for her poignant works of art that are as poetic as they are political and biographical, Jacir explores histories of migration, resistance and exchange.

Highlights include heratmospheric film Lydda Airport (2009), set in the 1930s and inspired by a story told to the artist by Salim Tamari whose father recounted waiting at the airport (now known as Ben Gurion) to greet and welcome aviator Amelia Earhart who never arrived.

Winner of a Golden Lion at the 2007 Venice Biennale, Material for a film (2004–ongoing) is a large-scale, immersive installation based on the life of Palestinian writer Wael Zuaiter who was assassinated near his home in Rome by Israeli Mossad agents in 1972. Jacir reimagines chapters of Zuaiter’s life through materials unearthed by the artist including family photographs, correspondence and documents relating to his death.

These works are presented alongside landmark pieces including  Entry Denied (a concert in Jerusalem) (2003), stazione (2008 – 09), andex libris (2012), which addresses the looting, destruction and restitution of books.