“Liberated But Not Free”
Part 2 (2023)Celebrating the bravery of Eritrean women guerrilla fighters who played crucial roles in the fight for independence, "Liberated but Not Free Part 2" embodies their inspiring narratives and ongoing pursuit of freedom. Unveiling the historical context of Eritrea's independence struggle, the exhibition sheds light on the invaluable contributions made by these resilient women. Despite encountering post-independence challenges, their determination remained steadfast. Enhanced by an audio component, the exhibition offers poignant insights as the women share anecdotes of their resourcefulness and resistance, amplifying their voices. Featuring compelling stories of individuals like Leterfa’el T/Mikael (Gual Signora), Zahra SeAdin, and Mhret Gebreab, among others, their names etched on the walls serve as enduring symbols of courage and resilience, inspiring generations to come. While returning male fighters were celebrated, the women encountered difficulties reintegrating into society and faced marginalization. Through art and storytelling, we honor their contributions to the fight for independence and strive to amplify their voices in the quest for true freedom and equality.
Liberated But Not Free
Performance (2022)Inspired by the ex-fighters I created stencils of the Eritrean women figher silhouettes using reused cardboard to symbolise their marginalized status. I designed a new language merging Arabic and English to write "Liberated but not free" on walls and cardboard using stencils, a paint roller, and sandpaper. This language amplifies the voices of marginalized Eritrean women, serving as a secret code of communication and resistance. The intentional removal of my artwork during the performance pays tribute to graffiti rituals and symbolizes suppressed conversations.
