On July 6th Misa Sourour presented a poingant performance with their sculptural piece as part of the programming for AnySquared’s Home Not Home Exhibition at Agitator.
Untitled: Hair
Both a sculpture and performance piece.
Sculptural Piece Materials: Hair, fabric wood, synthetic hair, nails, jewelry chain
Artist’s Statement | belonging/not belonging, freedom/captivity | Untitled: Hair is a reflection of Muslim/SWANA women rights in both the east and west and the oppression that seems impossible to escape. It also touches upon a more personal narrative of belonging not belonging. Growing up and having a complex relationship with my curly hair in the west and being mixed raced. Then going back east and still not fitting in for numerous reasons. There’s no “home base” for many mixed people. Hair is culture, Hair is personal, Hair is political. Each Item in the piece is a reminder of my home and my culture in Egypt: Keffiyeh, black hair, triangle structures and gold jewelry.
Performance Piece Description | Misa Sourour carefully tied the keffiyeh to wrap the sculptural piece that was on the small table while an riq was played. They then placed the tied keffiyeh bundle on the floor and untied the sculpture. With care they proceeded to place and spread the fabric and hair in the form of honoring it. They brushed the sculpture out and placed paper slips statements around the sculpture for all in the audience to view. They finished by wrapping up the sculpture and placing back on the table mount.
Two examples of the paper slips statements placed on the piece regarding the juxtaposition of Muslim women’s rights in the west: “Hair: On February 16, 2021, As part of the ‘anti-separatism’ bill, the French Senate has voted for outlawing the headscarf for minors in public. A bid by the French Senate to ban girls under 18 from wearing the hijab in public.“ and “Hair: On September 13, 2022 ,22-year-old Jina “Mahsa” Amini was arrested by Iran’s morality police for “improperly” wearing her hijab too loosely. According to her family and local media, she was severely beaten. Mahsa died three days later while still in police custody. Please see other examples in the photos.
Much gratitude to Sayeda Misa Sourour @spaghettilegz_ for their art and performance.
The performance was part of AnySquared’s Home Not Home Exhibition which was on display June 24th–July 10th, 2023 and included a full schedule of programming at Agitator Gallery, 3851 W Fullerton, Chicago.
This exhibition is the launch of AnySquared’s Home Not Home Series and Project, which will run through 2024 at various venues in Chicago. Thank you to Agitator Artist Collective for making space and collaborating for this first installment of the series.
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Supporting and nurturing artists and creating community for over 13 years, AnySquared is a nonprofit artists collaborative, a network, and a platform for artists. AnySquared’s mission is to support, produce and promote collaborative projects that facilitate arts activities through inclusive participation.
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