Performances by Issam Kourbaj: Endangered Archive
15 March, 11am–12.45pm
Join us at Kettle’s Yard for a special performance by artist Issam Kourbaj to accompany Issam Kourbaj: Urgent Archive. The performance will mark the 13th anniversary of the conflict in Syria.
Join the artist as he sows wheat seeds in the galleries, alongside a live reading of his poem Leave to Remain: A single Syrian grain, airborne, by Mourad Kourbaj and Zeina Al Azmeh from 12pm.
For the final part of the performance, visitors will be invited to participate in a procession up to St Peter’s church, carrying a tray of seeds and placing them in the church, where they will remain for a one-day installation.
Kourbaj will also make alterations and additions to some of the displays in the galleries during the day.
About Issam Kourbaj
Issam Kourbaj was born in Syria and trained at the Institute of Fine Arts in Damascus, the Repin Institute of Fine Arts & Architecture in Leningrad (St Petersburg) and at Wimbledon School of Art. He has lived in Cambridge, UK, since 1990.
Since 2011 his artwork has related to the Syrian Crisis and reflects on the suffering of his fellow Syrians and the destruction of his cultural heritage.
About the Exhibition
2 March – 26 May 2024
Since 2011 Issam Kourbaj’s artwork has responded to the ongoing conflict in Syria, and reflects on the suffering of his fellow Syrians and the destruction of his cultural heritage. This exhibition presents key works from this period alongside a new series which explores themes of loss, memory and renewal.
The exhibition – the artist’s largest to date – will include installation, sculpture, performance and works on paper. Kourbaj will be present at intervals throughout the exhibition, which will evolve as he adds to the displays.
Access
- The galleries, where exhibitions are shown, and all areas of the Clore Learning Studio (level -1) and Ede Room (level 2) are fully accessible.
- We have wheelchair accessible toilets on the lower ground, ground and first floor.
- There is a lift giving access to all floors located past the galleries, just beside the Clore Learning Studio on the ground floor.
- Kettle’s Yard welcomes assistance and service dogs in all areas.
- We have large-print versions of the wall text available.
- We can lend visitors small folding seats for taking around exhibitions or using at non-seated events. Please ask a Visitor Assistant for help finding a seat.
