3rd Dec - 25th Feb 2017
Opening Hours | Mon- Sat 12- 8pm | Tues 3-8pm.
THE ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY | 247 WILMSLOW ROAD | MANCHESTER | M14 5LW
ARTIST INFORMATION
Born in Damascus Syria, Mohamad Khayata now lives and works in Beirut, forced to flee due to the ongoing conflict in his home country. A visual artist and photographer "Stitching My Syria Back" began life as a documentary experiment, which quickly gathered momentum. The photographs capture displaced Syrians wearing a homemade patchwork 'Madeh'. This humble, patchwork quilt embodies memories of his mother sewing, and can be found in most Syrian homes. Through this act of documentation, Khayata transforms this everyday object into a potent symbol of Syrian exile. Entwined with memories, social history and Syrian cultural identity the Medah becomes a visible symbol of transformation and unity. Spanning three countries (Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria) this poignant photographic series is Khayata's visible attempt to "stitch" Syria back together again, with the hope to one day return to his home.
Khayata holds a BA in Fine Art from Damascus University. Recent solo exhibitions include; "Lookup" Journey's Festival, Leicester (2016), Beirut Art Fair (2016) and "Walking on Thread" at 392RMEIL393 Gallery, Beirut (2015). He has participated in several group exhibitions across Europe and The Middle East, including “ Syrian Art: of Today“, organized by VC and Oxfam to Support Syrian refugees in Lebanon (2014); and “The Third Space”, organized by the British Council In London and Brussels (2015).
All works in this exhibition are for sale, please enquire within the Library for further information and pricing.
All images © Mohamad Khayata 2014.