Art as Activism - An Artist Talk with Yara El-Sherbini

The European Centre for Palestine Studies (ECPS) is delighted to invite you to an artist talk entitled Art as Activism, featuring interdisciplinary artist Yara El-Sherbini.

Drawing on a practice that combines humour, play, and participation, El-Sherbini creates socially and politically engaged artworks that encourage audiences to reflect on systems of power, influence, and representation. Her work often transforms familiar objects, social rituals, and everyday experiences into accessible artistic interventions that invite critical dialogue and collective engagement.

In this talk, El-Sherbini will discuss her approach to art as a form of activism, exploring how creative practices can challenge dominant narratives, foster public participation, and open spaces for discussion around social and political issues. The session will examine the role of contemporary art in addressing questions of justice, identity, and resistance, and will reflect on the possibilities and limitations of participatory artistic practice.

The event will also introduce a new collaborative project developed with artist Stuart Crewes. The work seeks to create a space for dialogue around the ethical considerations involved in translating Palestinian history and the ongoing genocide into participatory artistic formats. Through this collaboration, the artists explore how art can facilitate critical engagement with historical memory, solidarity, and contemporary political realities.

The talk will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about El-Sherbini’s artistic process, engage with current debates surrounding art and activism, and reflect on the responsibilities and possibilities of cultural production in times of conflict and social transformation.

Speaker Biography

Yara El-Sherbini is an internationally recognised interdisciplinary artist whose work combines humour, participation, and social engagement to explore cultural and political issues. Through a diverse range of media and collaborative projects, her practice encourages audiences to question established narratives and engage critically with contemporary social realities.

Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Somerset House, Manchester Art Gallery, Whitechapel Gallery, The Studio Museum in Harlem, ZKM (Germany), and Modern Art Oxford, among many others.

El-Sherbini’s practice is widely recognised for its ability to create meaningful public dialogue through accessible and participatory artistic experiences. Her work frequently addresses themes of identity, representation, cultural memory, and social justice, demonstrating the potential of art to foster reflection, conversation, and collective action.