Jumana Emil Abboud

Jumana Emil Abboud, born in 1971, lives and works between Jerusalem and London. She received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a postgraduate diploma from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem (1996 and 1999, respectively). She is pursuing a PhD at the Slade School of Art, University College London (2019–present).

Abboud uses drawing, video, performance, objects and text to navigate themes of memory, loss and resilience. Her interests lie in oral histories, the investigation and retelling of personal and collective stories and mythologies, and the interlinkages between these stories in both natural and cultural landscapes. Her work has often reflected a Palestinian cultural landscape, in which the struggle for continuity amid the wider political context necessitates a constant process of metamorphosis and ingenuity.

During the past decade, Abboud’s work has been presented in numerous international solo and group exhibitions and festivals, including Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) (2019); Ashkal Alwan – The Lebanese Association for Plastic Arts, Beirut (2019); The Jerusalem Show iX/Qalandiya International (2018); The Palestinian Museum, Birzeit (2018); Tate Modern, London (2018); Gallery Travesia Cuatro, Madrid (2018); A. M. Qattan Foundation, Ramallah (2018); Sharjah Biennial 13: Tamawuj Off-site project in Ramallah (2017); Bildmuseet, Umeå University, Sweden (2017); Darat Al Funun, Amman (2017); Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre, Ramallah (2016); 56th Venice Biennial (2015); Center for Contemporary Art, Malmö (2014); Al-Mahatta Gallery, Ramallah + Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), London (2013); the 4th Riwaq Biennale/Qalandiya International, Ramallah (2012); 11th Istanbul Biennial (2009) and Magasin 3, Stockholm (2007).

Her works are held in private and public collections including The Khalid Shoman Collection (Amman); Magasin III Museum for Contemporary Art (Stockholm); The Isabelle & Jean-Conrad Lemaitre collection; The Israel Museum (Jerusalem); Daniel Sachs Foundation (Stockholm); George Al Ama collection at Dar Al Sabagh Diaspora Studies and Research Centre (Bethlehem); The Palestinian Museum (Birzeit); Ashkal Alwan, The Lebanese Association for Plastic Arts (Beirut), and Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) among others.

Photo: Issa Freij.