serving a platter , dropping a ball

In an attempt to challenge the conditions and norms imposed on artists, particularly women, minorities, and those within marginalized communities, I reflect on my own experience as a Palestinian woman, as my relationship to my art and practice has been deeply shaped, and often burdened, by the roles and responsibilities placed upon me.

The rigidity of my upbringing instilled in me a sense of diligence and a focus on what was considered my ultimate purpose: wifedom and motherhood. These expectations, especially now, having reached neither well past the age of 30, have left me questioning my desire for these roles, but not as a trade-off for the pursuits repeatedly deemed “not for me.” This crossroad has left me with years of engaging in the deep, transformative work of undoing the expectations placed on my womanhood, not just by my community, but the broader sociopolitical pressures imposed on women and minorities as well.

Serving a Platter, Dropping a Ball is an invitation into the conversations of how these expectations have shaped the practice of different artists, and their expression. Whether it be artists I’ve known for over a decade or those I’ve just met; artists whose work has inspired me or challenged the way I think; artists whose practice mirrors mine, or exists in worlds completely apart. These conversations are had over a traditionally served tray of coffe, tea, dessert, nuts, etc.

This salon style approach allows me to bend the rules and reimagine servitude, a concept deeply rooted in the expectations of what it means to be a “good” woman within Arab households. By taking ownership of these traditions, I am allowed to transform their weight into something intentional: a space that is safe, generative, and grounded in gathering and growth, rather than in the stagnant roles we have long been expected to inhabit.