Abstract

The Cambridge Migration Society is welcoming Syrian artist Diala Brisly for an exhibition of her paintings at the Institute of Criminology.

Brisly’s exhibition, titled “What the War Did to Our Memories: Displacement, hope, and humanity in the Syrian war”, explores themes of resilience, childhood, and feminism within the context of the ongoing war in Syria and reveals the artist’s personal and artistic journey from Syria to Turkey, Lebanon, and now France.

Brisly, who fled Damascus in 2013 and was eventually granted asylum in France, has exhibited her work in Paris, Berlin, and London. Her art has been well-received around the globe and was even featured in the BBC in 2016. Brisly is an advocate for Syrian children’s right to education, contributing murals to schools in refugee camps in Lebanon and most recently illustrating a children’s book.

The exhibition will officially open to the public on Monday 29 April at 6pm at the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge. Brisly will speak about her paintings and artistic journey, followed by a reception. Brisly’s paintings will remain on display at the Institute until 30 May. The opening night and exhibition is free and open to the public.

The exhibition is generously supported by the Institute of Criminology, the Centre for the Study of Global Human Movement, the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, King’s in the Middle East Seminars, the King’s Review, Clare Hall, the Centre of Governance and Human Rights, and Murray Edwards College.