LATEST ARTICLES
+Editorial Notes
LATEST ARTICLES
+Editorial Notes
Alia Derouiche Cherif – Nahla Ink Artist of the Season (Autumn 2021)
Arab Cinema Shines Bright
Sudan Retold: An Art Book About the History and Future of Sudan
‘Making The Postcard Women’s Imaginarium’: Subverting colonial depictions & Orientalist fantasies of women found circulating on old postcards
June Note: In Search of Arab London + Print Isn’t Dead! + Calligraphic Rhythms + Shubbak Festival + Tribute to Rim Banna + More!
SAFAR 2016: Film Festival Solely Dedicated to Contemporary Arab Cinema
Retracing A Disappearing Landscape: Exhibition Overview + Parallel Programme

Event Details
The Brunei Gallery, SOAS will present a major new exhibition, ‘The Future of Traditions, Writings Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East’ that will open on 12 January 2023 and
Event Details
The Brunei Gallery, SOAS will present a major new exhibition, ‘The Future of Traditions, Writings Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East’ that will open on 12 January 2023 and remain on display until 25 March, 2023.
The exhibition is collaboratively produced by guest curator Rose Issa (of Rose Issa Projects) and Bob Annibale (SOAS) and explores three generations of artists, from Iran and the Arab world, from the early pioneers of a vernacular ‘Lettrism’ movement to those incorporating the written word in their works today.
These artists, from different background and styles, take inspiration from their own culture and combine those influences with international aesthetics and concepts. The result is the creation of an alternative and original approach to modernism and contemporary art.
While partly based on the book ‘Signs of Our Times: From Calligraphy to Calligraffiti’, the exhibition adds more artists from the younger generation—artists whose concerns, whether conceptual, socio-political, or simply aesthetic, have found their own modes of expression, thus contributing to world art.
From the 37 artists represented, only a very few are calligraphers. The variety of their vocabularies of art, whether painting or sculpting the words, offers a fresh perspective on the creativity that the region has inspired.
A selection of rare, illustrated books and manuscripts from the Special Collections SOAS Library and artists books alongside selected pieces from SOAS’s wider Collections are also included in this exhibition connecting the old with the new.
A catalogue ‘The Future of Traditions – Writings Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East’ has been produced and is available from the SOAS Bookshop in the Brunei Gallery, SOAS.
Artists include: Etel Adnan, Maliheh Afnan, Farhad Ahrarnia, Siah Armajani, Nasser al Aswadi, Manal al Dowayan, Halim al Karim, Shakir Hassan al Said, Mouneer al Shaarani, Chant Avedissian, Said Baalbaki, Mahmoud Bakhshi, Jacqueline Béjani, Khaled Ben Slimane, Kamal Boullata, Hanieh Delecroix, Jumana el Husseini, Mohammad Ehsaey, Ali Omar Ermes, Parastou Forouhar, Bita Ghezelayagh, Fathi Hassan, Susan Hefuna, Farnaz Jahanbin, Christine Khondjie, Rachid Koraichi, Nja Mahdaoui, Hassan Massoudy, Joumana Medlej, Farhad Moshiri, Ahmed Moustafa, Enayatollah Nouri, Mahmoud Obaidi, Mehdi Qotbi, Nayla Romanos Iliya, Katayoun Rouhi, Walid Siti and Hossein Valamanesh.
For more: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/future-traditions-writing-pictures-contemporary-art-middle-east
Mixed media on paper,110×220 cm,1981
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Time
January 12 (Thursday) 10:30 - March 25 (Saturday) 17:00
Location
Brunei Gallery
SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

Event Details
Three years ago, Riham Isaac embarked on a journey to explore what it means to love; what ideas do we have about it and
Event Details
Three years ago, Riham Isaac embarked on a journey to explore what it means to love; what ideas do we have about it and what is holding her back from it?
‘Another Lover’s Discourse’ is Riham’s first solo performance created and performed by her. She mashes up interviews with friends, family and strangers, combining video, music, performance, and original film to explore the complexity of love and relationships.
This inventive new multimedia performance, from one of Palestine’s most exciting contemporary artists, invites you to think differently about love; to shake off stereotypes, free yourself from old traditions and think about what you actually want. This irreverent look at romance will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered: is this really all there is?
Riham Isaac
Riham Isaac is a performance artist who brings together a range of practices — acting, singing, dancing, video and explores new mediums of live performance and multidisciplinary arts. Riham’s practice reflects on what it means to be producing innovative artistic work in Palestine in the current moment. Her work is playful and a profound commentary on a wide range of pressing issues related to gender, politics, and arts.
Riham has extensive experience leading and creating artistic projects. In 2017, she co-directed The Alternativity with Oscar-winning Director Danny Boyle & Banksy which was featured as a programme on BBC Two. In 2016, she directed & produced I Am You, a multi disciplinary performance that toured Palestine, Sweden & Denmark. In 2014, she performed during Qalandia International Biennale ‘Stone on Road’.
She is an MA Graduate from Goldsmiths 2013 in Performance. She is also the Founder of ‘Art Salon’ which is an independent art space in the old city of Beit-Sahour that brings different community members to the space to promote art practices.
Press & Reviews
A wonderful work. Funny and touching and with some real surprises – not least the singing! Riham Isaac explores the expectations of marriage and romance and the dreams that hover beyond them
Danny Boyle, Oscar-winning Director.
Isaac’s theatrical work is entertaining, humorous and takes audiences on a journey. Her work raises awareness, encourages debate, and tackles issues of social injustice.
Aser Elsaqqa, Artistic Director AWAN Festival.
I found the performance really engaging. I particularly enjoyed the gentle beauty in your performance, which quietly and therefore more powerfully somehow resonated with heartbreak and something darker. Thank you for sharing it with us at this stage.
Katherine Lazare, Theatre Royal Bath.
Cast & Creative TeamWriter, Director & Performer: RIHAM ISAAC
Video Artist: SIMON CLODE
Composer and Musician: FARIS ISHAQ
Lighting Designer & Technical Stage Manager: FIRAS ABU SABBAH
Set Designer: BASHAR HASSUNEH
Costume Designer: HIND HILAL & AYA ALTAWEEL
Commissioned by Belfast International Arts Festival
For more: https://vaultfestival.com/events/another-lovers-discourse-%d9%84%d9%8a%d9%87-%d8%ae%d9%84%d8%aa%d9%86%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%a8%d9%83/
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Time
7 (Tuesday) 18:25 - 12 (Sunday) 19:25
Location
Studio, The Vaults
The Vaults, Leake Street, London SE1 7NN
10feb19:3023:00Fatma Said: Noisenight1919:30 - 23:00

Event Details
Event Details
OSLO is one of London’s iconic clubs. The first of its type to open in the area, it’s based in the redeveloped Victorian Hackney railway station. It has hosted Mumford and Sons, Dua Lipa, and Alabama Shakes, but Noisenights were the first classical shows to take over this unique space. Now returning for the first time since two sold out sets back in June 2022.
The Music:
Fatma’s show will draw on material from her latest genre-defying release, ‘Kaleidoscope’, with a programme focusing on tango-inspired music and jazz. She will be accompanied by bandoneon legend Julian Rowlands and award-winning composer and pianist Harry Baker.
Fatma Said (soprano):
At the age of 14 Fatma Said embarked on a musical journey that would take her from her home in Cairo to the Academy of Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists and ultimately to the world’s most prestigious concert and opera stages.
Harry Baker (piano):
Harry Baker is an award-winning improvising pianist and composer active in jazz, classical and new-music settings. His music has been featured on Jazz FM and BBC Radio 3, and his compositions recorded by the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain on NMC Recordings.
Julian Rowlands (bandoneon):
Julian Rowlands is a bandoneonist, pianist, composer and arranger. He specialises in tango music including the works of Astor Piazzolla, as well as classical, contemporary and world music.
For tickets: https://www.throughthenoise.co.uk/noisenight19#back
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Time
(Friday) 19:30 - 23:00
Location
OSLO Hackney
OSLO Hackney, 1A Amhurst Rd, London E8 1JB
11feb(feb 11)23:0012(feb 12)04:00Hishek Bishek at The Garage23:00 - 04:00 (12)

Event Details
About Hishek Bishek Hishek Bishek is a pulsing club night dedicated to the Arabic-speaking world’s popular music history and vibrant sonic cultures. From chart-topping Iraqi and Lebanese dancefloor hits, and the
Event Details
About Hishek Bishek
Hishek Bishek is a pulsing club night dedicated to the Arabic-speaking world’s popular music history and vibrant sonic cultures. From chart-topping Iraqi and Lebanese dancefloor hits, and the newest releases from Egypt’s underground, to Palestinian electronic dabke and nostalgic synthed-out 90’s classics, Hishek Bishek has become a vibrant staple in London’s late-night club scene.
This event is strictly 18+ and photo ID* is mandatory.
*You must bring photo ID that is not expired (examples of accepted ID: drivers license, passport, BRP, or any other form of valid government-issued photo ID – can be international). Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided if you are not able to show your valid photo ID.
For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hishek-bishek-tickets-516077410427
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Time
11 (Saturday) 23:00 - 12 (Sunday) 04:00
Location
The Garage
The Garage, 20-22 Highbury Corner, London N5 1RD

Event Details
The Brunei Gallery, SOAS will present a major new exhibition, ‘The Future of Traditions, Writings Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East’ that will open on 12 January 2023 and
Event Details
The Brunei Gallery, SOAS will present a major new exhibition, ‘The Future of Traditions, Writings Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East’ that will open on 12 January 2023 and remain on display until 25 March, 2023.
The exhibition is collaboratively produced by guest curator Rose Issa (of Rose Issa Projects) and Bob Annibale (SOAS) and explores three generations of artists, from Iran and the Arab world, from the early pioneers of a vernacular ‘Lettrism’ movement to those incorporating the written word in their works today.
These artists, from different background and styles, take inspiration from their own culture and combine those influences with international aesthetics and concepts. The result is the creation of an alternative and original approach to modernism and contemporary art.
While partly based on the book ‘Signs of Our Times: From Calligraphy to Calligraffiti’, the exhibition adds more artists from the younger generation—artists whose concerns, whether conceptual, socio-political, or simply aesthetic, have found their own modes of expression, thus contributing to world art.
From the 37 artists represented, only a very few are calligraphers. The variety of their vocabularies of art, whether painting or sculpting the words, offers a fresh perspective on the creativity that the region has inspired.
A selection of rare, illustrated books and manuscripts from the Special Collections SOAS Library and artists books alongside selected pieces from SOAS’s wider Collections are also included in this exhibition connecting the old with the new.
A catalogue ‘The Future of Traditions – Writings Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East’ has been produced and is available from the SOAS Bookshop in the Brunei Gallery, SOAS.
Artists include: Etel Adnan, Maliheh Afnan, Farhad Ahrarnia, Siah Armajani, Nasser al Aswadi, Manal al Dowayan, Halim al Karim, Shakir Hassan al Said, Mouneer al Shaarani, Chant Avedissian, Said Baalbaki, Mahmoud Bakhshi, Jacqueline Béjani, Khaled Ben Slimane, Kamal Boullata, Hanieh Delecroix, Jumana el Husseini, Mohammad Ehsaey, Ali Omar Ermes, Parastou Forouhar, Bita Ghezelayagh, Fathi Hassan, Susan Hefuna, Farnaz Jahanbin, Christine Khondjie, Rachid Koraichi, Nja Mahdaoui, Hassan Massoudy, Joumana Medlej, Farhad Moshiri, Ahmed Moustafa, Enayatollah Nouri, Mahmoud Obaidi, Mehdi Qotbi, Nayla Romanos Iliya, Katayoun Rouhi, Walid Siti and Hossein Valamanesh.
For more: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/future-traditions-writing-pictures-contemporary-art-middle-east
Mixed media on paper,110×220 cm,1981
more
Time
January 12 (Thursday) 10:30 - March 25 (Saturday) 17:00
Location
Brunei Gallery
SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
01mar19:0022:00Soolking at 02 Forum Kentish Town19:00 - 22:00

Event Details
French Algerian singer and rapper Soolking, has been on a remarkable international journey since beginning his musical career in
Event Details
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Time
(Wednesday) 19:00 - 22:00
01mar20:3022:30WEAPONS OF MASS HILARITY (LABS SPECIAL)At Soho Upstairs 20:30 - 22:30

Event Details
What happens when an Arab, Assyrian and Persian walk into a bar? Join us for the only comedy night that showcases Middle Easterners to find out. Laith Elzubaidi:
Event Details
What happens when an Arab, Assyrian and Persian walk into a bar? Join us for the only comedy night that showcases Middle Easterners to find out.
Laith Elzubaidi: Iraqi writer/performer, his work centres on refugee experiences, winning accolades at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Hajar J. Woodland: Hajar is trying to make sense of her Muslim upbringing/Iranian identity while working out if she can still apply to a BAME scheme.
Jenan Younis: Assyrian comedian, (via Palestine and Iraq) BBC New Voices Winner, founder of Guardian recommended Weapons of Mass Hilarity. ‘Sharp, smart comedian – not to be missed!’ The List
For tickets: https://sohotheatre.com/shows/weapons-of-mass-hilarity/
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Time
(Wednesday) 20:30 - 22:30
Location
Soho Theatre
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
03may19:3022:00Academy of Art & Arabic Heritage Choir19:30 - 22:00

Event Details
The Academy of Art & Arabic Heritage Choir take to the stage to celebrate the richness of Arabic culture and traditions through music. ‘From every garden
Event Details
The Academy of Art & Arabic Heritage Choir take to the stage to celebrate the richness of Arabic culture and traditions through music.
‘From every garden a flower is picked and from every flower comes a unique fragrance that carries many old and new stories’. It’s with this sentiment in mind that the Academy of Art & Arabic Heritage Choir presents a veritable ‘bouquet of songs’ that reflect the beauty, diversity and history of the region – with accompaniment from traditional instruments including the tablah, oud, qanoun and ney.
Formed in 2016, the choir have made it their mission to bring communities together through music. And at the helm of this pioneering ensemble is Syrian conductor and musician Basel Saleh, whose previous projects include collaborations with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Damon Albarn of Gorillaz, as well as performances at major international festivals. Join them as they take us on an incredible journey of discovery.
For tickets: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/academy-of-art-arabic-heritage-choir
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Time
(Wednesday) 19:30 - 22:00
Location
The Barbican
The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
TWEETS & SOCIAL
It is time to refresh your @NahlaInk screens. The year has kicked off with some incredible events, and a lot more is en route. Some big music acts are coming up, while the current exhibition at SOAS, curated by @RoseIssaPro is also worth a visit. See all nahlaink.com pic.twitter.com/0SZw9MHns3
Last few days to apply for the role of Marketing Manager @MarsmUk, to lead on its digital presence, design and marketing strategy. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have exceptional digital marketing skills, and love music, this might be for you! marsm.co.uk/were-hiring-ma…
Updated and ready for 2023! Please refresh your Nahla Ink screens to see the #ArabAboutLondon events listing. From exhibitions, to music, dance, theatre, comedy and more! All at nahlaink.com pic.twitter.com/U1aNYrdFk8
Wishing everyone a happy festive season as we soon turn the page over to a new year 2023! (Image gifted by the artist @hassan_massoudy playing on the name 'Nahla' in Arabic script) pic.twitter.com/sUdaBpBanj