Soon to be on view in Dubai’s East Wing gallery is “Occupied Pleasures”, a show by photographer Tanya Habjouga. Created between 2011-2014, the works on display reveal the commonplace everyday pleasures that the population who live in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem partake in day after day, despite the arduous political and economic conditions and their limited freedom of movement. Habjouga reveals these insignificant moments of daily life with a warm sense of humor in vivid contrast to the more widely viewed reportage, focused on violence and conflict.
“The Palestinian visual narrative, as represented in western media, is often portrayed through a narrow prism. Despite the inability of Palestinians to maintain and sustain a normal way of life, and amidst this jarring reality, men, women and children often manage to steal moments of simple joys – quirky, modest occasions of happiness that range from taking a spin on a merry go-around to riding horses, or imagining a tropical adventure all the while standing against a colorful backdrop with a live parakeet in a simple studio in a refugee camp,” says Habjouqa who is recipient of a 2013 Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund Award for this project and a World Press Award in 2014,
The opening reception takes place on 20 May at 7pm.
East Wing is located in Limestone House #12 in Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).
For more information, visit www.east-wing.org
