Rushdi Anwar: Endless Tears in de Garden of Eden

Stories from historical Kurdistan

Anwar tells stories that have their origins in historical Kurdistan. An area where various cultures and religions lived together for a long time: Yazidi, Shabak, Assyrians, various movements of Christians and Arab Muslims. This was until the Sykes-Picot Treaty in 1916 drew the borders through the area of the Ottoman Empire with just a few strokes of the pen and divided it into French and British spheres of influence in West Asia. From that moment on, this region, the Middle East, has been divided into warring states.

With his work, Anwar draws attention to this history and to the endless conflicts that arise in the area where he comes from, Iraqi Kurdistan. He draws attention to the way in which the area and the age-old cultures and religions relate to the world and to historical Kurdistan, from the old world to the world of today. He does this with a view to the future and with glimmers of hope for a world of transnational connection.

From December 3, 2024 to January 21, 2025, you can experience 3 works of art by Rushdi Anwar in the impressive church hall of De Thomas. The exhibition consists of 2 large art installations and a smaller sound work.