Rise, Habibi

Building on the success of 2017’s #femalelust exhibition, Radical Love has partnered with Saqi Books to bring their feminist cult classic, Classical Poems by Arab Women, to life. This exhibition is a breathtaking fusion of art and poetry, bridging the gap between past and present while reimagining the powerful voices of Arab women across history.

From defiant young Muslim women condemning the powerful to Jewish teenagers longing for romance, doting mothers of newborns, grief-stricken brides, and irreverent concubines unimpressed by their mates, this offers a glimpse into the lives of women often left out of traditional historical narratives—those who are neither royal nor religious, but whose stories are just as compelling and complex.

The poets featured in Rise, Habibi come from pre-Islamic Arabia to Spain’s Andalusia, spanning the 7th to 12th centuries. Despite the attempts to erase their legacy, these women—mostly Muslim—used their poetry to express their emotions, desires, and resistance. Their voices speak through the ages, challenging those who would suppress them.

As emerging artists from around the world draw inspiration from 25 of these poets, Rise, Habibi reawakens their extraordinary creative expression. The majority of the artists are Arab and Muslim women, continuing this legacy of bold, creative defiance. This exhibition honors their voices and invites viewers into a conversation that connects the past to the present.

Artists

Featuring a dizzying array of international and British artists including Kazna Asker, Dana Barqawi, Malak Mattar, Azraa Motala, Ilona Szalay, Yara Said, Molly Crabapple, Hana Gamal, Zahra Marwan, Nadine Faraj, Lizzy Vartanian, Tamsin Abbott, Lena Kassicieh, Sheila Nortley, Saraiya Bah, Mariam Tafsiri, Reem Arkan, Miyuki Kasahara, Eylul Aslan, Nouf Alhimiary, Darin Ahmad, Chantey Dawal, Anouska Beckwith, Aula al Ayoubi, Farah Soobhan, Vean Ima, Cheryyl Brunel, Hend al Mansour, Khadijah Rehman, Eli Wirija, Femi Tiwo, Kit Dambite, Romina Khanom and Bettina Fung.

Through the collaboration between poets and artists, the exhibition transforms ancient words into powerful visual art. Paint, textiles, sculpture, and words come together to create a deeply personal and emotional experience. As the audience explores how poems relate to artworks, they move from passive viewer to active participant, engaging in an intercultural dialogue that transcends centuries.