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:: Thursday, June 29, 2006 ::

 
    Naji Al-Ali's Cartoons: Outdoor Art Exhibit, Harvard Sq, July 1-2, 6-8pm

Naji Al-Ali: An Icon of Palestinian Diaspora
Outdoor Art Installation, Harvard Square, July 1-2, 6-8:00 PM



You are cordially invited to view an installation of 50 distinguished works by the late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali.

Naji al-Ali's bold and illustrative cartoons, widely published over the past 20-30 years, reveal the tragic state of the Middle East. The artist combined art and political satire like none other; his work sadly still rings true today.

Naji al-Ali draws in simple mesmerizing lines a sincere critique of all sides in the conflict, and the world's complicity in the prolonged occupation of the Palestinians.

Pieces displayed at the installation were graciously provided by the artists' family, specifically for this exhibition.

Where: Winthrop Park in front of Pete's Coffee in Harvard Sq., Cambridge
When: Saturday July 1 & Sunday July 2 @ 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Rain date: Sunday July 2nd, 6-8pm, First Congregational Church, Sage Room (basement), 11 Garden St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge.

The artwork will be displayed on an elaborate set representing the Apartheid Wall in Palestine. You are invited to enjoy the exhibit, participate in painting the wall, and interact with pedestrians celebrating freedom & liberty on this Independence Day weekend.

The film "Naji Al-Ali: An Artist with Vision" may be shown outdoors at the installation, pending the weather.

Brought to you by Tawassul, a Cambridge-based nonprofit initiative established to promote Palestinian identity through visual arts and performance. http://www.tawassul.org

Brief Biography of the Artist


Naji al-Ali was one of the most prominent cartoonists in the Arab world. Sarcastic, poignant and perhaps too bold, El Ali's cartoons were drawn from his experience as a Palestinian refugee since childhood and clearly reflected his political stance. Naji al-Ali had no political affiliations and the absence of slogans and dogma in his work brought both success and criticism.

His cartoons portrayed the bitter struggle and plight of the Palestinian people against Israeli oppression. He also campaigned against the absence of democracy, widespread corruption, and gross inequality in the Arab world. He was said to have antagonized virtually everyone in the Middle East. During his lifetime, he was said to have drawn around 40,000 drawings, on average two cartoons a day. He worked for various publications in the Arab world. He was imprisoned various times for antagonizing political leaders with his critical cartoons. At the end of his life, he lived in exile in London, having been forced to leave Kuwait.

On Wednesday July 22nd, 1987, a lone gunman shot Naji al-Ali in the head as he left his office in London. After five weeks in a coma, he died at 5 AM on Saturday August 30th at the age of 49.

This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Naji al-Ali, nearly 20 years after his murder.

Flyer for Naji Ali Art Exhibit and Event Map (2-page PDF file)

http://www.sphrconcordia.org/naji/intro1.htm

>> posted by BootCAT at 4:58 PM   

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