LONDON - The I AM exhibition organized by CARAVAN which premiered on 3 May 2017 at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts in Amman will be showcased at London’s St. Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square from 2 July – 20 August, 2017.


As the world’s attention is focused anew on respecting women’s rights, and while there is an increasing need for developing understanding and encouraging friendship between the peoples of the Middle East and West, I AM is a peacebuilding exhibition from CARAVAN that showcases the insights and experiences of Middle Eastern women as they confront issues of culture, religion and social reality in a rapidly changing world both in the Middle East and West.


Designed to address stereotypes and challenge misconceptions of the "other”, the I AM exhibition will be a visual celebration of the crucial role that Middle Eastern women play as guardians of peace, celebrating their strengths and rich and diverse contributions in the enduring global quest for a more harmonious and peaceful future. The I AM exhibition highlights what women contribute toward healing our world, because of their inherent connection to the sanctity of life, and their ability to nurture and protect it, thereby inspiring a legacy of harmony.


The I AM exhibition is guest curated by Janet Rady, a specialist in Middle Eastern contemporary art, and 31 acclaimed women artists of Middle Eastern heritage from 12 countries were invited to participate in this unique East-West exhibition.


The I AM exhibition will open at St. Martin-in-the-Fields on London’s Trafalgar Square on 2 July and run through 20 August. It will subsequently tour the USA through the end of 2018, premiering on September 5, 2017 in Washington, D.C. at the Katzen Arts Center of the American University.


The phrase “I AM” is significant to the Abrahamic faiths. The words of divine self-identification, “I AM”, are familiar to Christians and Muslims to represent God/Allah, therefore serving as an interreligious bridge. The phrase “I AM” remind us, regardless of creed, of all being equal and one. Above all, this exhibition celebrates the diversity of human expression, while also asserting the common priorities that all persons seek and treasure.


An exciting schedule of programs and events are accompanying the I AM exhibition at each venue to stimulate discussion, dialogue and education, promoting further understanding.
For more information, see: www.oncaravan.org/i-am-exhibition



About the Artists
The 31 women artists selected for I AM are premier artists of Middle Eastern origin and cover a broad geographic area from 12 countries. Some noted emerging artists have also been selected for participation. Each artist was invited to create one original two or three-dimensional work in any still art medium for this exhibition: painting, drawing, collage, photography, digital art, mixed media and sculpture. Participating artists and their countries are:
1. MARWA ADEL (Egypt)
2. RAWAN Al ADWAN (Jordan)
3. AFSOON (Iran)
4. AHAAD ALAMOUDI (Saudi Arabia)
5. ALIA ALI (Yemen)
6. BOUSHRA ALMUTAWAKEL (Yemen)
7. ZENA ASSI (Lebanon)
8. SHEREEN AUDI (Jordan)
9. MANAL DEEB (Palestine)
10. MAITHA DEMITHAN (UAE)
11. LALLA ESSAYDI (Morocco)
12. MARIAM ALI FAKHRO (Bahrain)
13. TAIBA FARAJ (Bahrain)
14. FATEN GADDES (Tunisia)
15. AZADEH GHOTBI (Iran)
16. NERMINE HAMMAM (Egypt)
17. HILDA HIARY (Jordan)
18. CARELLE HOMSY (Egypt
19. LULWA AL-KHALIFA (Bahrain)
20. MARWA AL KHALIFA (Bahrain)
21. NABEELA AL KHAYER (Bahrain)
22. GHADA KHUNJI (Bahrain)
23. ANNIE KURKDJIAN (Lebanon)
24. HANAA MALALLAH (Iraq)
25. RANIA MATAR (Lebanon)
26. RAEDA SAADEH (Palestine)
27. NAGLA SAMIR (Egypt)
28. SOHEILA SOKHANVARI (Iran)
29. MAYASA AL SOWAIDI (Bahrain)
30. WIJDAN (Jordan)
31. HELEN ZUGHAIB (Lebanon)
About CARAVAN
CARAVAN, which originated out of Cairo, Egypt, is an international peacebuilding arts NGO that focuses on building bridges through the arts between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East and West. CARAVAN’s experience has shown that the arts can serve as one of the most effective mediums to enhance understanding, bring about respect, enable sharing, and deepen friendship between those of different faiths and cultures. Past CARAVAN exhibitions have resulted in unprecedented gatherings of renowned Middle Eastern and Western artists who use art for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and have garnered attention from the international press, media and art world, attracting thousands of visitors. For more information on CARAVAN, see: www.oncaravan.org

To read more about the exhibition organizers: oncaravan.org
To read more about the I AM exhibition: www.oncaravan.org/i-am-exhibition