The Wave Exhibition: A Collective Art Project of Feminist Resistance and Renewal

Curating Wave has been one of the most profound journeys of my career as a curator. It is not merely an exhibition but a testament to the resilience, creativity, and transformative power of feminist movements. Conceived through a collaborative and interactive horizontal model of creation by 51 members of the Syrian Political Feminist Movement, the process itself embodied a feminist approach to art-making.

Wave reflects a decade-long journey of struggles and triumphs following the Arab Spring, positioning Syrian women at the forefront of the fight for political inclusion and representation. It is not a project about women but by women—a collective act of artistic resistance, solidarity, and hope. I wanted to create an open-source, self-curated exhibition. Therefore, today Wave is freely downloadable online.

As both the curator of this exhibition and the Executive Director of the Syrian Political Feminist Movement, I have worn two interconnected hats. On the one hand, I’ve worked tirelessly to amplify women’s political participation in Syria. On the other, I’ve embraced my curatorial role to create an artistic platform for self-expression. These dual perspectives have allowed me to bridge feminist political advocacy and artistic practice, shaping Wave into more than an exhibition—it is a safe space for expression, where stories, struggles, and dreams converge to inspire and empower.

Throughout its journey, Wave has accompanied the movement’s political events, appearing at annual conferences, sessions at the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, and most recently in Albania, where 12 Syrian parties and entities signed a national paper under the Feminist Political Track for Peace.

When I conceptualised Wave, I was drawn to the symbolism of waves and their natural phenomena: reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction. These principles mirror the dynamics of feminist and societal movements:

•    Reflection represents looking back to learn from history and inform future actions. In Their Faces, the first video, Syrian women reclaim their visibility in public and political spaces, transforming memory into strength. This reflection aligns with global movements such as the #MeToo campaign and the feminist awakenings of the Arab Spring, which have amplified women’s voices, challenged patriarchal structures, and inspired change. Wave builds on this legacy, using reflection to honour the faces of Syrian female politicians and to inspire action.

•    Refraction symbolises transformation, turning pain and loss into creative power. This principle drives Their Moments, the second video, which connects Syrian women displaced across continents. It weaves their personal experiences of exile into a shared narrative of resilience based on their most powerful moments.

•    Interference captures the merging of voices, amplifying their collective impact. In Their Messages, the third video, the aspirations and dreams of 51 women come together in a unified expression of solidarity.

•    Diffraction illustrates scattering as a source of new connections and resonances. The exhibition itself becomes a diffraction of feminist energy, bridging distances and uniting diverse stories into a cohesive force.

These principles guided Wave, shaping it into an immersive experience where art and activism meet, offering a dynamic framework for understanding and fostering change.

At the heart of Wave are three videos, each a window into shared realities of resistance and hope. Through these works, Wave provides a platform for Syrian women to express themselves freely, turning lived realities into powerful artistic narratives that transcend borders.

1.    Their Faces

This video highlights the visibility and resilience of Syrian women through close-ups and reflective imagery. It reclaims their narratives and asserts their agency in the face of marginalisation.

2.   Their Moments

Connecting women across 20 countries, this video transforms the isolation of exile into a visual exploration of unity. It weaves individual struggles into a collective tapestry of solidarity and hope.

3.    Their Messages

Designed as an evolving archive of feminist voices, this interactive video invites participants to share their thoughts and dreams. It captures the ongoing and dynamic nature of the collective journey, ensuring that the movement remains alive and adaptive.

From its inception, Wave was more than an artistic project; it was envisioned as a safe space where women could feel seen, heard and valued. Each venue—whether in Paris, Istanbul, or beyond—became an oasis for dialogue, connection, and empowerment.

In Paris, Wave catalysed critical conversations about feminism’s role in rebuilding post-revolution societies. In Istanbul, it bridged diasporic voices with broader feminist and artistic communities. When Wave travelled to Montreal as part of the Dances de Résistances event, it found a new international audience eager to engage with its themes of feminist resistance and renewal. This event further amplified the message of Wave, connecting Syrian women’s stories with global women movements for justice and equality.

Creating these spaces was central to Wave’s purpose. I wanted to give the opportunity to every woman involved to express herself without fear of judgment or marginalisation. These environments became living proof of art’s power—not only to bridge distances but also to foster solidarity, nurture creativity, and plant seeds of transformation.

With the fall of the Assad regime, the themes of Wave—reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction—take on even greater significance. They offer not only a framework for understanding the past but also a roadmap for envisioning and shaping the future.

As Syrian society begins to rebuild, Wave stands as a manifesto for change, highlighting the critical role of women—not as participants, but as leaders driving justice, equality and progress.

Combining my roles as curator and Executive Director of the Syrian Political Feminist Movement has shown me how safe spaces for expression can spark transformation. By merging political advocacy with curatorial practice, I have created a space that amplifies voices while also providing a haven where ideas and dreams can take root and flourish.

For me, Wave is more than an exhibition—it is a movement. It transcends borders, carrying the stories and voices of Syrian women to the world. It is a testimonial, a platform, and a shared journey that reflects the profound power of feminist resistance and creativity.

As Syria enters a new chapter, I believe Wave embodies the unstoppable force of resistance. Like waves in the ocean, waves of light or waves transmitted in different forms of materials - our efforts flow, evolve, and reshape the world with every motion. It is a vision of hope and inspiration for a future rooted in freedom, equality and justice.

For those seeking to understand this journey, Wave offers both a guide and a blueprint for change—a reflection of what is possible when feminist activism meets artistic expression. It reminds us that resistance, like waves, is an unstoppable force, carrying with it the power to transform societies and inspire new beginnings.

Watch the video artworks, read the catalogue and more on the Wave page.