Lisson Gallery is proud to announce the addition of Dana Awartani to its esteemed roster of global artists. Awartani, who divides her time between New York and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is a Palestinian artist known for her intricate work that merges historical Middle Eastern cultural artifacts with contemporary artistic expressions.
Awartani’s artistry is a profound dialogue with Islamic and Arab art-making traditions, deftly navigating the realms of innovation and cultural reverence. Her diverse body of work, which includes painting, sculpture, performance, and installation, is not only a testament to aesthetic experimentation but also to social activism, focusing on themes of gender, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.
Central to Awartani’s philosophy is her exploration of geometric patterns, which she views as an untapped source of abstract genealogy. This approach is reflected in her persistent use of historically and locally sourced materials, imbuing her pieces with a profound sense of purpose and immediacy.
In her past collaboration with Lisson Gallery during the group exhibition “Matter as Actor” (London, 2023), Awartani solidified her reputation as an artist dedicated to conceptual depth and material integrity. This partnership is poised to reach new heights as she has been selected by curator Adriano Pedrosa to display her work at the prestigious 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2024. The exhibition, aptly titled “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere,” will feature Awartani’s poignant series “Come, let me heal your wounds. Let me mend your broken bones” (2019-2024).
This series is a contemplative response to the themes of ecological sustainability and cultural restoration. Awartani utilizes naturally dyed silk fabrics from Kerala, India, as her canvas, marking them with medicinal herbs and spices while also punctuating the cloth with symbolic tears. These interventions represent the scars left by war, colonialism, and terror on cultural sites, engaging with the concept of collective healing through traditional darning techniques.
Awartani’s commitment to marrying artisanal craftsmanship with indigenous knowledge systems serves as a powerful act of resistance against the erasure of history and homogenization of culture. Her works not only memorialize lost traditions but posit a vibrant future where these crafts are reimagined for contemporary relevance.
Lisson Gallery continues to support Awartani alongside Chemould Prescott Road and Athr Gallery, signaling a strong belief in her vision and impact. With this representation, Lisson Gallery reaffirms its dedication to showcasing artists who challenge, inspire, and transform our understanding of modern-day issues through the lens of art. Dana Awartani’s portfolio is a beacon of innovation and a call to preservation, inviting viewers to engage with the past as a means to envision a sustainable and inclusive future.
