A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Basma Alsharif

Basma Alsharif

Palestinian artist and filmmaker

Born
1983
Born in
Kuwait
Path
Cinema
Read Basma’s storyAsk about Basma

Why Basma is here

Alsharif's innovative approach to addressing the legacy of colonialism and cyclical political conflicts through art has made her a pivotal figure in contemporary art, offering immersive, satirical, and lyrical works that challenge and engage audiences globally.

Their story

Basma Alsharif, born to Palestinian parents and raised between France, the US, and the Gaza Strip, is an artist and filmmaker whose work delves into the complexities of political landscapes and the human condition. With a nomadic development of her practice, Alsharif’s work is characterized by a subjective, non-geographical viewpoint that seeks to confront and interrogate the legacy of colonialism and the enduring impact of cyclical conflicts.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Basma’s path.

  1. MFA Graduation

    Completed her MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2007.

    Read more

  2. Residencies Participation

    Engaged in prestigious residencies, including Fondazione Antonio Ratti in 2009 and Pavillon Neuflize OBC at the Palais de Tokyo in 2014-15.

    Read more

  3. Award Accolades

    Earned a Jury Prize at the 9th Sharjah Biennial and received the Visual Arts Grant from the Fundación Botín in 2010.

    Read more

  4. Global Exhibitions

    Featured in major exhibitions and film festivals worldwide, such as the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and the Whitney Biennial.

    Read more

  5. 2022–2023

    Berlin Artistic Research Grant Programme Fellowship

    Held a Berlin Artistic Research Grant Programme fellowship in 2022–2023.

    Read more

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Filmography

    Produced thought-provoking films such as "Ouroboros," an homage to Gaza that intertwines various historical narratives with the concept of eternal return.

    Read more

  2. Installation Art

    Created immersive installations that challenge perceptions of political and personal identity, such as the acclaimed "Deep Sleep".

    Read more

  3. Photography and Cinema

    Utilized these mediums to explore and communicate the complexities of displacement and the global condition.

    Read more

  4. International Recognition

    Her work has received international acclaim, featuring in biennials, film festivals, and exhibitions across the globe, broadening the discourse on Palestinian issues and the impact of colonialism.

  5. Educational Contributions

    Through her innovative use of visual language and participation in residencies and fellowships, Alsharif contributes to the ongoing education and dialogue around contemporary art and political history.

Ask about Basma

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Basma’s profile.

Basma’s guide AI

Answers come from Basma’s profile on this page. It isn’t Basma, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Basma?

Ask in your own words about Basma’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Basma Alsharif’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Cinema

All 37 in Cinema