ART EXHIBITION: REBEL LANDSCAPES

PRESENTED BY TPFF x EMBASSY CULTURAL HOUSE

The exhibition Rebel Landscapes focuses on the natural territories of Palestine -- not only for their beauty, but also the various roles they play to either suppress or empower the people of the land. The exhibition investigates how environmental justice is at the heart of Palestinian livelihoods and revolutions.

When we think about Palestine in the West, we think about landscapes pressed against the sea (Gaza) and others pressed against apartheid concrete (West Bank). In addition to exploring these typical horizons, this exhibition will situate you in the eyes of Palestinians who engage with the flora and fauna between their fingertips.

We recommend you start by reading Jumana Manna’s insightful essay titled “Where Nature Ends and Settlements Begin,” then shift to the images by Ala Abu Assad, who reveals what Manna preaches. Sliman Mansour and Vera Tamari take us right to the heart of agriculture in Palestine with their intimate visual investigations and love letters to the fruits of the country. Jana Ghalayini and Steve Sabella illuminate how our Palestinian cultures in both the East and the West influence our lives right down to clothes on our skin.

This year TPFF reviewed more than the usual number of films addressing the environmental impact the colonization of Palestine has on its people and land. With four short films bundled as a package under the title “On This Land,” we decided to also bring together visual artists that address Palestine and the environment. Surprisingly (maybe unsurprisingly for some) we also received a feature film, My Tree, that addresses how individual Canadians can also impact Palestine’s environment with a seemingly innocent gesture. From seeds to landscapes, the artists in this exhibition and accompanying film programs unearth the influence of the environment on art and art’s role in environmental justice.We hope that you enjoy this varied collection as we continue to think about our relationship with this planet and our human impact on it.

A special thanks to our community partner Embassy Cultural House for their invaluable contribution to Rebel Landscapes.