The exhibition Awakening of Dreams (sixth edition) is held at the Wajdan Gallery at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts in Amman. It was inaugurated on October 1, 2024, under the patronage of Princess Rajwa bint Ali and runs until October 10, curated by Khaldoun Hijazin. This is a women-led artistic event featuring six artists: Amal Sobeh, Dalia Ali, Raeda Shahin, Rana Safadi, Reem Khader, and Shereen Al-Ouran. Twenty percent of the proceeds from sales will be donated to support early screenings for women in precarious situations.
The exhibition explores the theme of land and its stories through various techniques, ranging from oil painting, digital collages, to installations using mixed materials. Each artist expresses a unique vision of their connection to the land and cultural memory, resonating with the heritage and landscapes of the region.
Amal Sobeh’s works stand out for their human emotions inspired by the beauty of nature. She uses soft and transparent colors to create harmonious landscapes, notably fields of violet flowers mixed with green, yellow, and orange, giving a sense of calm. Her canvases, constructed like musical gradations, invite contemplation and evoke an inner journey of the soul in communion with the land.
Dalia Ali, on the other hand, takes an abstract approach to representing Palestinian cities, especially Jerusalem. Influenced by her background in architecture, she plays with lines and shapes to recreate these cities as living memories. She uses varied materials such as acrylic, newspaper clippings, sand, and graphic patterns, also integrating elements of Arabic calligraphy to express Palestinian identity and heritage.
Rana Al-Safadi highlights cities that deeply resonate with her through oil painting techniques on canvas. She explores the cultural and human components of the places she represents, creating works with textured reliefs and soothing colors. Her work focuses on large blocks of color and human groups integrated into these urban landscapes.
Raeda Shaheen uses an abstract style, playing with the interaction of geometric shapes and colors. Her works often consist of layered patterns, creating multiple dimensions that give the impression of paintings within paintings. She favors cold colors and minimalist strokes to give an impression of calm.
Reem Khader combines modern technology with artistic expression to create collages rich in symbols. She uses artificial intelligence and hand painting to craft works that explore themes related to contemporary human life, with layered details to express complex ideas about existence.
Lastly, Shereen Al-Ouran questions the symbolic role of women in society. The artist uses visual elements that express positive emotions such as compassion, love, and protection, illustrating the intimate connection between women and the land. Her work seeks to convey a message of strength and continuity, emphasizing the importance of women as guardians of memory and cultural heritage. The details and distinctive features she uses aim to draw the viewer's attention and spark reflection on the place of women in both historical and contemporary contexts.