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Riham Isaac

I am a performance artist from Palestine, weaving together a range of artistic practices – acting, singing, dancing, and video – to explore new mediums of live performance and multidisciplinary arts. I hold an MA in "Performance Making" from Goldsmiths. Through themes like gender, politics, resistance, societal dynamics and collective imagination, I explore narratives often overlooked. Challenging prevailing perceptions and embracing risk-taking to provoke meaningful dialogue and change within audiences.

In 2017, I co-directed 'The Alternativity' in Bethlehem alongside Danny Boyle and Banksy, a highly political yet playful show spotlighted in a BBC2 documentary. At the 2014 Qalandia International Biennale, my performance 'Stone on Road' symbolically encapsulated the ongoing Palestinian struggle on the streets of Ramallah. Recently, my solo performance "Another Lover's Discourse " commissioned by Belfast International Arts Festival, captivated UK audiences and earned a nomination as the VAULT Festival 2023 show of the week. I have collaborated with institutions like the A.M. Qattan Foundation in Ramallah and the British Council in East Jerusalem, fostering artistic expression and social engagement within the community.

Currently in my practice, I am driven by the question of how we perform land In times of crisis, and how to address concepts of land, resistance, environmental and cultural activism.  I'm exploring the intersection of performance and land liberation, delving into how performance practices can deepen our understanding of land injustices. Thus bridging the urgency of land-related activism with performance's potential to transform audiences and landscapes. 

A promotional graphic for Kunafa and Shay.
Podcast

Site-Specific Performance Art with Riham Isaac

26 November 2024

Palestinian performance artist Riham Isaac discusses her site-specific performances, which understand performance as a medium for change. She shares insights into her pieces like Stone on Road and the profound symbolism of resistance in Palestinian art.

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