Eye on Palestine: Spotlighting the Palestinian Experience

One of Qatar Museums’ primary focuses is showcasing the breadth and diversity of Arab culture. From celebrating Baghdad, to explorations of nomadic movements across the Sahara, offerings are revelatory and wide ranging. Amplifying Palestinian stories and voices is an essential element of this programme. With that in mind, we spoke with Baha Jubeh, part of the curatorial team for Labour of Love, about the importance of showcasing Palestinian culture.

Q. What impact does showcasing Palestine in the arts have? And why is it important to amplify Palestinian stories in this way?

Baha Jubeh: Showcasing Palestinian art and heritage is one of the most important tools we have, in my opinion, to show the civilised and true image of the Palestinian people. It presents the human aspects of the Palestinian cause, and deals with the history of the Palestinian people and the related social, cultural, political and artistic issues. Just like other peoples in the world, the Palestinian people deserve a dignified life. It is important to show their suffering and resilience as a people who have been under occupation for decades.

Q. Resilience in the face of political injustice is a theme running throughout the exhibition. How is it exemplified and why is it critical to the work shown?

Jubeh: Showing the justice of the Palestinian cause in the face of political injustice is one of the most important topics presented in Labour of Love. The exhibition deals with the transformation of embroidery and the image of the Palestinian woman into a political symbol of the Palestinian cause. Embroidery is highlighted as resistance.

Q. What do you hope visitors will get out of the stories told in the exhibition?

Jubeh: I hope that the visitor will come out with a true picture that shows the justice and humanity of the Palestinian cause and its modern history.

Q. How can visitors take what they saw/learned and utilise it in their everyday lives, and more importantly, in their discussions around Palestine and the Palestinian cause?

Jubeh: The exhibition, as I mentioned, tries to present the true picture of the Palestinian cause and society from a human angle. Therefore, the visitor can judge the exhibition and the Palestinian cause from a real, non-exaggerated perspective. This can enrich any discussion.

Baha Jubeh is the curator of this edition of the exhibition and the Collections Manager at The Palestinian Museum.