Abolish Article 153: Expressive Exhibition at “The Hub” Gallery
Twelve years have passed since Kuwaiti women got the right to participate in the political battle in Kuwait; this date, the 16th of May, coincides with the launching of one of the most important creative exhibitions that show a collection of Artistic work and Photographs representing “Women” in order to encourage them to obtain their full rights as well as a support and solidarity with the abolition of Article 153 of the Kuwaiti Penal Code, which allows men to get away with killing their  mothers, daughters, sisters and wives if they suspect them of sexual impropriety with a light punishment of a prison sentence     for a period not exceeding three years or a fine of 15 KD  or one of these penalties, and this is contrary to the principles of Islamic law.

Dr. Al-Anoud Al-Sharikh, Sheikha Al-Nafisi, Lulu Al-Sabah, Amira Behbehani and Sundus Hussain are the organizers of this exhibition and they are the ones who initiated this idea to demand the cancellation of this article and its negative consequences on human rights in general and women’s rights in particular.

The exhibition will last for a week in the hall of “The Hub” Gallery located on the Arabian Gulf Street – Sharq. It will include paintings, jewelry and sculptures created by a group of young Kuwaiti and Arab artists to promote this awareness campaign in all segments of Kuwaiti society in the hope of achieving justice and equality between men and women and the exclusion of violence in any way. Read more about campaign

Abolish Article 153 will host its 4th Art Exhibition at the HUB Gallery in Kuwait. The exhibition will include more then 50 artworks in various media by Kuwaiti and Middle Eastern artists.

Artists: Abdulla Al Awadhi, Abdulla Al Saab, Alina Amer, Amani Althuwaini, Amira Behbehani, Afsoon, Alexandra Zambom*, Azza Al Sherif, Eilidh Middleton, Emma Harake, Fadel Al Abbar, Farah Salem, Fatma Abodoma, Ghada Khunji, Hamad Al Saab, Ibrahim Ismail, Jad El Khoury, Jamal AlYousef, Maher Kuraitem, Manal Al Majed, Maryam Hosseinnia, Mohammed Al Kouh, Neda Dana-Haeri, Norma I. Figueroa, Ricardas Blazukas, Sara AbuMrad, Sara Marwa, Shereen Audi, Shurooq Amin, Sumaya Abdul Ghani, Tagreed Al Baghshi, Thuraya Al Baqsami, Wafaa Al Husaini, Waleed Shalaan, Warda Al Kandari, Zahra Al Mahdi, Zeinab Qabazard, Ziyad Al Arfaj and AUK Graphic Design Students.

All artworks shown at the exhibition were created for the purpose of this exhibition.
Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the campaign.

*The Italian artist Alexandra Zambon is present in this exhibition with two of her artworks. Below Alexandra Zambon’s art statement:
So within your shaping arms I pour myself.
Small and immense
Serene given, restless given
Unending developing motion.
The Presence of Orpheus by Italian Poet Alda Merini

What does Women’s Empowerment mean? How can we empower women, young women? Those were the central questions I wanted to find answers to before starting my work. Having in mind that the empowerment of women is a call to action to support women in self-actualizing their Inner Power, I wanted to materialize the idea of empowered women with the disappearance of their bodies and figures. I believe that empowerment grows within ourselves, thus we can be empowered and empower women by supporting them.
My work celebrates all women, regardless of their age, skin color, beliefs and cultural backgrounds. It’s an Ode to joy, to love.
Liberté, Egalité, Sororité is a universal motto for Liberty, Equality, Sisterhood. It signifies our strength and success through our unity, support and embrace. Although we need to be alone to understand and discover ourselves, we also need to socialize and be surrounded by our families, friends and loved ones to be happy and feel alive. One simple hug can change us, can empower us.
These two artworks are mixed media collages and frottage that reveal the wonderful universe of my empowered women.
Herta Müller says: “Collage is like the Past! It is part of who we are and who we will be” and the identity, the consciousness of it is the key of building our empowerment. The Women Spring and The Graces’ Revolution, the artworks that I propose in this exhibition, are part of my journey in what I have called “The Human Landscape”, where I try to unveil the women’s essence, their emotions and fragilities.

Abolish Article 153. Annual art exhibition in Kuwait
Opening 16th of May, 2017 at 7-9pm
Exhibition is ongoing until 24th of May, 2017

The HUB Gallery (former FA Gallery)
Tel: +965 22 49 8999
Address: Sharq, Block 2, Gulf road, Villa 76, next to Al Amiri Hospital
Opening Hours: 10am-9pm

Artworks in gallery:
-Alexandra Zambon, The Women’s Spring, 79X98 cm, mixed media (collage and frottage), 2017
-Ghada Khunji, Maria, photo collage on canvas, 40×53 cm, 2016
-Sara Abou Mrad, Squeeze, sleepers Metal pins on wood, 45×65 cm, 2017
-Afsoon, Queen of Palmyra, watercolour and paper collage on Arches paper, 36×26 cm, 2017
-Alexandra Zambon, The Graces’ Revolution, 79X98 cm, mixed media (collage and frottage), 2017