Isshaq Albarbary

Al-Barbary (Bethlehem / Amsterdam) is an artist and researcher focusing on the interactions happening between refugees and their lived spaces. In his practice, which has been shaped by his life growing up in a refugee camp in Palestine, Al-Barbary initiates mujaawarat (gatherings or neighbouring in Arabic) and tanaqush (discussion) as methods for collective learning and practices of “making time” and non-dominant, speculate time formation. This involves seeking ways to express the trauma of a disfranchised population and turning it into collective, empowering performances. Al-Barbary’s work is situated between art, politics, education, and the everyday. It includes performance, spatial intervention, and writing. He holds Master in Fine Art and Design and was a 2017/2018 fellow at BAK (Basis voor Actual Kunst) on the fellowship program Propositions for Non-Fascist Living. Previously, he was a participant and later the coordinator of Campus in Camps, an educational program that activates collective critical learning environments in Palestinian refugee camps. He is also a founding member of Al-Maeishah Collective. Al-Barbary’s work has been shown in group shown and biennials such as Bienal de Sao Paulo, Qalandya International, Van Abbemuseum, Documenta 13, Chicago Architecture Biennial and Serralves Museum in Porto.