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Portrait of Raeda Saadeh

Raeda Saadeh

Art as resistance to occupation

Born
1977
Born in
Umm al-Fahm, Palestine
Path
Arts
Read Raeda’s story2 videosAsk about Raeda

Why Raeda is here

For redefining Palestinian art, using performance and photography to express resistance and gender issues under occupation.

Their story

Raeda Saadeh is a Palestinian artist whose work uses photography, performance, and video to address the themes of identity, gender, and resistance. Through her unique art, she explores the realities of Palestinian life under occupation and the challenges faced by Palestinian women. Her works, such as "Vacuum" and "Penelope," use metaphors and symbols to critique the absurdities of the Israeli occupation while also offering a broader commentary on the persistence of struggle in the face of oppression.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Raeda’s path.

  1. Awarded the "Young Artist of the Year" by A.M. Qattan Foundation in 2000: This prestigious recognition marked the beginning of her international career as a powerful voice in contemporary Palestinian art.

  2. Earned BFA and MFA from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design: Saadeh's formal education equipped her to blend conceptual art with activism, especially focusing on Palestinian identity and occupation.

  3. Exhibited widely across Europe and the Middle East

    Her works have been featured in the Sharjah Biennial, the Venice Biennale, and other international exhibitions, making her a prominent figure in global art discussions.

  4. 2007

    Created "Vacuum"

    This two-channel video installation depicts her futile attempt to vacuum a barren Palestinian desert, symbolizing the absurdity and hopelessness of life under occupation.

    Watch

  5. 2012

    Published a monograph "Reframing Palestine"

    This book compiles her key works, contextualizing her artistic journey and highlighting her role in reclaiming Palestinian visual narratives.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Challenged occupation through art

    Saadeh’s performances and installations critique the Israeli occupation and its impact on Palestinian identity, often using her own body as a medium of expression.

  2. Used symbolism to depict gender and resistance

    In works like "Penelope" and "Crossroads," Saadeh intertwines Greek mythology and Palestinian realities to comment on the ongoing struggles of women under occupation.

  3. Reclaimed Palestinian landscapes in art

    Her works frequently reimagine the Palestinian landscape, infusing it with cultural memory and personal narratives to resist the erasure caused by the occupation.

    Watch

  4. Amplified Palestinian women’s experiences

    Through her focus on the role of women in occupied territories, Saadeh brings attention to the unique challenges faced by Palestinian women, making gender a central theme in her art.

  5. International representation of Palestinian art

    Saadeh’s works have not only brought Palestinian stories to international audiences but have also reshaped the global art scene's understanding of resistance, identity, and occupation.

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Watch & listen

Raeda in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Created "Vacuum"↗

  • 02Reclaimed Palestinian landscapes in art↗

Further reading

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