Fertile Crescent - Women Artists & the Middle Eastern Diaspora

(Published on Oct 2, 2012) An ambitious 5-month project entitled "The Fertile Crescent: Gender, Art, and Society" features 24 women artists from 11 Middle Eastern nations: Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, and Nigeria. The massive program includes over 50 free events in New Brunswick, Princeton, and at the College of NJ. Artists Negar Ahkami (American/Iranian), Zeina Barakeh (Lebanese/Palestian), and Ayana Friedman (Israeli) speak about their experiences in the cultural diaspora, challenging Western stereotypes and exploring issues of gender and homeland. Organized by Judith K. Brodsky and Ferris Olin, Co-Directors of the Institute for Women and Art at Rutgers University, the Fertile Crescent project includes art exhibitions, lectures, symposia, film screenings and musical performances, and continues through mid-January. For more information, visit http://www.fertile-crescent.org