In Conversation with Alia Gargum and Shirin ZeraatY
When: Thursday 29 August 2024, 3pm until 5pm
Where: Hatton Gallery, King's Road, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU (map)
We are delighted to invite you to an In Conversation event with Alia Gargum and Shirin Zeraaty. This is a continuation of the fascinating dialogue between the artist and curator that began as part of Belonging - an online exhibition of works by 11 international artists with experience of forced displacement.
This time, the starting point for discussion will be Alia’s new work this was a mosque / هذا كان مسجد , which is currently on display as part of Pipelines - Newcastle University’s Master of Fine Arts degree show. We invite you to join us for a tour of Alia's work at the Hatton Gallery, meeting at the entrance at 3pm. We will then gather as a group in a nearby seminar room where Alia and Shirin will expand the conversation, sharing the complexities of exploring lived experiences and perspectives across borders.
Please be aware due to limited capacity places need to be booked in advance and will be given on a first come first served basis. We will also have a waiting list. Book on EventBrite here.
About the speakers
Alia Gargum is a British-Libyan artist based in Newcastle who composes her work through critical and personal exploration of politics and culture, focusing on her heritage through diasporic means. Sculpture, paintings and installation elements are re-organised and transformed in an organic manner as part of the artistic process. Alia primarily uses hand-treated steel and hand-manipulated paper to depict signifiers of her past through a contemporary lens.
Alia’s work explores power dynamics that echo into personal relationships, with a focus on the history of Middle Eastern and North African region power structures. Themes of forced migration, exile and identity also converge in her works.
Find out more: @alia_studio
Shirin Zeraaty is a contemporary artist, curator, and designer originating from Zahedan in Iran. Currently based in Istanbul, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Sculpture from the Art University of Tehran. In July 2022, she completed her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich under the guidance of Professor Hermann Pitz.
She is the founder of the Art Corner of Tehran online platform, where she collaborates with Iranian artists to offer them an alternative space to showcase their work and introduce themselves.
Shirin's work explores themes such as language, biography and the interpretation of works within the contexts of nationality, gender and institutional structures.
Where: Hatton Gallery, King's Road, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU (map)
We are delighted to invite you to an In Conversation event with Alia Gargum and Shirin Zeraaty. This is a continuation of the fascinating dialogue between the artist and curator that began as part of Belonging - an online exhibition of works by 11 international artists with experience of forced displacement.
This time, the starting point for discussion will be Alia’s new work this was a mosque / هذا كان مسجد , which is currently on display as part of Pipelines - Newcastle University’s Master of Fine Arts degree show. We invite you to join us for a tour of Alia's work at the Hatton Gallery, meeting at the entrance at 3pm. We will then gather as a group in a nearby seminar room where Alia and Shirin will expand the conversation, sharing the complexities of exploring lived experiences and perspectives across borders.
Please be aware due to limited capacity places need to be booked in advance and will be given on a first come first served basis. We will also have a waiting list. Book on EventBrite here.
About the speakers
Alia Gargum is a British-Libyan artist based in Newcastle who composes her work through critical and personal exploration of politics and culture, focusing on her heritage through diasporic means. Sculpture, paintings and installation elements are re-organised and transformed in an organic manner as part of the artistic process. Alia primarily uses hand-treated steel and hand-manipulated paper to depict signifiers of her past through a contemporary lens.
Alia’s work explores power dynamics that echo into personal relationships, with a focus on the history of Middle Eastern and North African region power structures. Themes of forced migration, exile and identity also converge in her works.
Find out more: @alia_studio
Shirin Zeraaty is a contemporary artist, curator, and designer originating from Zahedan in Iran. Currently based in Istanbul, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Sculpture from the Art University of Tehran. In July 2022, she completed her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich under the guidance of Professor Hermann Pitz.
She is the founder of the Art Corner of Tehran online platform, where she collaborates with Iranian artists to offer them an alternative space to showcase their work and introduce themselves.
Shirin's work explores themes such as language, biography and the interpretation of works within the contexts of nationality, gender and institutional structures.
Useful information
We'd love to make this an opportunity for discussion, and there will be plenty of time for questions and contributions from the audience.
15:00: Meet at the entrance of the Hatton Gallery for a tour of Alia's work
15:25: We will gather as a group in seminar room 3.28 where Alia and Shirin will expand the conversation
17:00: Event ends
Accessibility
The Hatton Gallery is situated on the ground floor of Newcastle University’s Fine Art Building. The gallery’s entrance is opposite Northern Stage. Access through this entrance is via a lift or stairs.
If you have any special access requirements please contact [email protected] to let us know in advance.
There is more information on the gallery’s website: https://hattongallery.org.uk/visit-us/access-information
Travel
The gallery’s address is: Hatton Gallery, King's Road, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU (map).
Haymarket Metro and Haymarket Bus Station are a short walk away from the gallery.
If you need support covering travel costs, we have a small number of travel bursaries. Please contact [email protected].
Reserve your place
This event is free. Please be aware there is limited capacity and places will be given on a first come first served basis. We will also have a waiting list - reserve your free place via EventBrite here.
Event film and photography:
This event will be filmed. If you wish to attend but not to appear in the film, please let a member of staff know on the day.
With thanks to our partners: The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Newcastle Investment Fund and Arts Council England.
And with thanks to: Hatton Gallery and Newcastle University.
Image credits: Portrait of Alia Gargum, photo: Ellen Dixon on behalf of Queer Joy Captured | Portrait of Shirin Zeraaty, photo: Simon Freund | Alia Gargum, work in progress, photos: Sue Loughlin
Image credits: Portrait of Alia Gargum, photo: Ellen Dixon on behalf of Queer Joy Captured
| Portrait of Shirin Zeraaty, photo: Simon Freund | Alia Gargum, work in progress, photo: Sue Loughlin