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Portrait of Sama Alshaibi

Sama Alshaibi

Palestinian Iraqi American artist and Arizona Regents Professor

Born
1973
Born in
Basra, Iraq
Path
Arts
Read Sama’s story2 videosAsk about Sama

Why Sama is here

Sama Alshaibi has used her art to explore the complex narratives of displacement, exile, and the Palestinian experience, creating powerful visual metaphors that resonate deeply within and beyond the Palestinian community.

Their story

Sama Alshaibi is a Palestinian-Iraqi-American visual artist and photographer whose work primarily focuses on themes of displacement, exile, and the impact of conflict on individuals and communities. Through her multimedia installations, Alshaibi often incorporates her own body to symbolize the intersection of personal and collective histories, especially within the context of the Palestinian diaspora. Her art has been showcased globally, bringing attention to the struggles and resilience of Palestinians and other displaced communities.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Sama’s path.

  1. 1973

    Born in Basra, Iraq

    Alshaibi was born to a Palestinian mother and Iraqi father, experiencing early life in a region marked by political turmoil.

  2. 1986

    Emigrated to the United States

    Fleeing the violence of the Iran-Iraq war, Alshaibi and her family resettled in the United States, where she later pursued her education in the arts.

  3. 2014-2015

    Fulbright Scholar Fellowship

    During her residency at the Palestine Museum in Ramallah, Alshaibi developed an educational program and conducted independent research, significantly contributing to Palestinian cultural preservation.

    Read more

  4. 2021

    Guggenheim Fellowship in Photography

    This prestigious award recognized her impactful work in photography, particularly her exploration of displacement and migration.

  5. Exhibited in Major International Biennials

    Alshaibi's work has been featured in several renowned biennials, including the Venice Biennale and Cairo Biennale, marking her influence on the global art stage.

    Watch

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Exploring Palestinian Displacement

    Alshaibi's work, particularly the Silsila series, delves into the themes of migration and displacement, using the desert as a metaphor to represent the continuous movement and survival of displaced communities, including Palestinians.

    Read more

  2. Highlighting the Impact of Conflict

    Through her multimedia installations and photography, Alshaibi captures the human consequences of war and occupation, with a focus on the Palestinian experience, bringing these realities to an international audience.

    Watch

  3. Artistic Representation of Exile

    Alshaibi often uses her body as a symbolic representation of exile and displacement, creating a powerful visual narrative that resonates with the Palestinian diaspora and others who have experienced forced migration.

  4. Cultural Preservation through Education

    During her Fulbright Fellowship, she not only created art but also contributed to cultural preservation by developing educational programs at the Palestine Museum, ensuring the continuity of Palestinian heritage through art.

  5. International Advocacy for Palestinian Narratives

    By participating in and being recognized at international biennials and exhibitions, Alshaibi has effectively used her art to advocate for Palestinian rights and bring attention to the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people.

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Watch & listen

Sama in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Exhibited in Major International Biennials↗

  • 02Highlighting the Impact of Conflict↗

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