More Than Your Eyes Can See: Contemporary Photography from the Arab World

Photo: “LALALAND I” (2013) by Amr Attamimi, courtesy of the artist represented by Emergeast

More Than Your Eyes Can See: Contemporary Photography from the Arab World features the work of 15 photographers from the Arab world and its diaspora who are defining the practice of photography in the Middle East. Employing photojournalism and fine art photography, their diverse work provides an intimate and dynamic lens through which to see the Arab world—shedding light on the lived experience and taking viewers to new and unexpected places.

The exhibition celebrates some of the most exciting voices of a generation of artists and photographers who are pushing boundaries, and challenging what we know and how we see. Through storytelling, experimentation and new media, their work marks the present and imagines possible futures, as they explore notions of place, identity, the body, the environment, youth culture, politics, and more. Ultimately, More Than Your Eyes Can See introduces audiences to a world that is so much more than it appears.

The exhibition is organized in partnership with Tribe magazine, a non-profit publication and platform focused on documenting photography, film and video from the Arab world. Tribe has featured the work of all of the artists included in the show.

YouTube Video — Watch a guided tour of the works featured in “More Than Your Eyes Can See” by curator Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah.

Curator

Featured Programming

Lens on North Africa: The Rise of a New Generation of Photographers

A panel conversation featuring two award-winning photographers, Imane Djamil (Morocco) and Fethi Sahraoui (Algeria), whose works are featured in MEI Art Gallery’s current exhibition. The artists speak about their work, the themes that drive their vision, and the vibrant photography scene in North Africa, as well as the rise of a new generation of photographers who are transforming the practice and changing the narrative.

Opening of More Than Your Eyes Can See: Contemporary Photography from the Arab World

The opening of More Than Your Eyes Can See: Contemporary Photography from the Arab World, an exhibition celebrating the work of 15 photographers from the Arab world and its diaspora who are defining the practice of photography in the Middle East. Employing photojournalism and fine art photography, their diverse work provides an intimate and dynamic lens through which to see the Arab world. Featured an art talk with curator Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah and co-founder and photo editor of Tribe magazine Sueraya Shaheen.