Hazem Harb explores displacement and resilience in new Dubai exhibition

‘Not There, Yet Felt’ exhibition of Palestinian artist reflects on loss, memory, and hope

DUBAI, UAE (MNTV) — Palestinian artist Hazem Harb shared life under Israeli occupation and displacement from his birthplace in his latest exhibition, “Not There, Yet Felt,” on view at Tabari Artspace in Dubai.

“It’s an out-of-body experience. I’m here and I’m not here,” Harb told Arab News, describing the emotional dissonance between his physical life in Dubai and his deep-rooted connection to his birthplace, Gaza.

The exhibition features a series of aluminum self-portraits based on silhouettes of Harb’s head and upper chest. 

Rather than detailed facial features, each silhouette is filled with images of the colorful, crumbling walls of his family home in Gaza, photographed by his nephew and a photojournalist after its destruction amid ongoing conflict. 

“I had no idea we had shades of blue, pink, and yellow in the house,” Harb reflected. “There are so many layers and memories in that house.”

Above the series, a central neon artwork spells out “Hope Is Power,” with the word ‘power’ flickering, symbolizing instability and the fragile nature of daily life under siege. 

Another poignant work — a large self-portrait printed on paper with crumpled edges — further conveys the theme of disruption and emotional vulnerability.

Harb also introduces a series of handmade collage works that transform peeling wall fragments into abstract figurative forms, offering a calming contrast to the show’s more intense elements.

Compared to his previous solo exhibition, which presented raw, passionate expressions of rage and sorrow, “Not There, Yet Felt” carries a lighter, more romantic tone. 

A wall text in the gallery reads, “Your Skin Is My Homeland,” setting a gentler emotional backdrop. 

In a back room, Harb displays figurative paintings created two decades ago, establishing a dialogue between past and present explorations of form and identity.

Despite the exhibition’s underlying sadness, Harb maintains a sense of resilience. A notable piece features a human figure made from medical gauze, symbolizing survival and emotional healing. 

“The show is a statement. I felt a responsibility,” he said. “The whole world, not just Palestine, is in a very critical time, and I was thinking about the role of art in a sensitive, genocidal time. Art is a way to say something and is a part of history, an archive for the future.”

“Not There, Yet Felt” continues to welcome visitors at Tabari Artspace, contributing to Dubai’s vibrant cultural season and offering a powerful reflection on survival, memory, and hope through art.