Reem Shadid

Reem Shadid (born in 1984 in occupied Jerusalem) is an independent curator who works on the emancipatory possibilities within artistic practice, exploring the ways it intersects with socio-economic forms. Previously, she was the Deputy Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, where she served in various capacities between 2006 – 2020. She was instrumental in developing and managing the foundations’ team, operations, public and curatorial programs which includes Sharjah Biennial, March Meeting, exhibitions, publications, film, music, education and community outreach programs. Among her recent curatorial projects are ‘New Affinities’, B7L9-art station, Tunis (2019); ‘Debt’, Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre, Ramallah (2018); ‘Active Forms’, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah (2018) and ‘March Project’, Sharjah Art Foundation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). She has also served on various advisory and selection committees of commissions and participated in several symposiums such as ‘In 20/20’, the Architecture Association, London; ‘Understanding Asia: Understanding Art and Culture’, Asia Pacific Triennial, Brisbane; ‘Africa Art Book Fair’, La Colonie, Paris; and ‘Collecting Territories’, Studio-X Amman – Columbia GSAAP, Amman among others.

Reem’s research explores various forms of protest that aim to disrupt the entangled dynamic between art and the neoliberal capitalist system, and hold accountable those in the art world who are complicit with state violence, injustice and oppressive systems of control. Reem will study new introductions to forms of protest; such as the use of the image, sound, social media, as well as hacking and augmented reality technologies. This will consider the efficacy of actions that have been in practice for decades, such as targeted petitions, boycotts, civil disobedience, demonstrations and strikes. Understanding these practices will pose questions around issues of responsibility, complicity and accountability. Furthermore, it will allow for an exploration of the broader role of art in society and developing ways of working that dismantle and re-configure existing structures. In parallel to this research, Reem will start conversations with fellow residents and beyond, through weekly public group meetings around this topic.