A new art space called Ibraaz is opening in London, backed by the Kamel Lazaar Foundation. Based in Tunis, the privately-run initiative supports research, publishing, and exhibition initiatives, and regularly organizes debates, symposiums, and seminars that champion narratives and profiles from Tunisia, North Africa, the Middle-East and beyond.
Opening this October in central London, the new space, which will span across 10,000 sq ft, is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and perspectives in contemporary art. Evolving from its early beginnings as a digital platform, it is now transforming into a physical home for artists while creating a “brave space for art, culture & ideas, from the Global Majority”, per an Instagram post.
“Freedom of expression is shrinking, in the press, on campuses and some institutions as well. I think we’re living in a state of deep despair and inequalities. Having an additional space where people can tackle difficult, urgent, important questions in a way that is open, genuinely sincere and respectful, can only be a positive,” Lina Lazaar, Vice President of the Kamel Lazaar Foundation, told The Guardian in a recent interview.
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“Ibraaz—meaning ‘to shine a light on’ in Arabic—is a space for illuminating art, culture and ideas, located in London yet globally attuned,” founders wrote on Instagram post announcing the upcoming launch.
The inaugural exhibition will feature works by Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, titled Parliament of Ghosts. Originally presented at the Manchester International Festival in 2019, the installation is a showcase of culture and tradition of the 54-year-old’s homeland, incorporating salvaged materials to explore many different themes, starting from memory.
Recognized for uplifting voices that often go unheard, the foundation is doing it again — this time, right in the belly of the beast. As the launch draws near we wish them every success in the world.
