Radical Late: Exploring Crossings: community and refuge

Radical Late: Exploring Crossings: community and refuge – a British Museum Spotlight Loan, online, 10 June 2021 - Book now

In this Radical Late from the People’s History Museum, Syrian artist Issam Kourbaj will be talking about his work Dark Water, Burning World. The event Exploring Crossings: Community and Refuge will combine live music, visual art and conversation to create a space for reflective thought.

Kourbaj’s work uses repurposed Bicycle mudguards designed to look like boats packed with burnt out matches and very simply but very powerfully evokes the plight of his fellow Syrians, for whom the water was less dangerous than the land. Alongside the talk, guitarist and songwriter Ewan McLennan will perform a collection of songs including Lampedusa. The title of this song is taken from the Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, which has become a gateway for many people fleeing violence and war.

Issam Kourbaj trained in fine art in Damascus, Leningrad and London before settling in Cambridge and becoming a lecturer in art for Christ’s College as part University of Cambridge. Outside of his widely respected artistic practice, he is known for raising awareness and money for those affected by the ongoing situation in Syria. Kourbaj will be talking about the connection between his artistic practise and activism in the piece Dark Water, Burning World as part of Exploring Crossings.

The event will take place over zoom and booking in advance is required on a pay as you can basis. It is just one of the many great online Radical Lates the People’s History Museum has been hosting. Be sure to check out the website to see what else is coming up.