Palo Gallery (New York) is pleased to present Longing: In Between Homelands, a group photography exhibition featuring the work of Ameen Abo Kaseem, Nadia Bseiso, and Lina Khalid. Each of these artists, living in exile, offers deeply personal explorations of their Palestinian identities, longing for their
homeland, and reflections on the complexities of borders and belonging. Born from their projects We Deserved a Better Time on this Earth (Kaseem), Infertile Crescent (Bseiso), and To Look Over there is a Sin (Khalid), their images provide unique perspectives on the layered experience of displacement, conflict,
and survival, illuminating the intersection of personal narrative and broader historical forces. The exhibition will open on Wednesday, 8 January 2025 and will be on view through Saturday, 8 February 2025 at Palo Gallery's second location, 21 East 3rd Street. Palo Gallery will be covering production costs and all proceeds from the exhibition will be given directly to the artists.
Nadia Bseiso (b. 1985) is a Palestinian-Jordanian documentary photographer based in Amman. Her work explores themes inspired by research into history, geopolitics, and mythology, which then transform into visual narratives. In her long-term project Infertile Crescent, Bseiso uses the motif of water to symbolize both scarcity and survival, reflecting the enduring impact of conflict in the region, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her images capture the landscapes and everyday lives of people living near the borders of the Fertile Crescent, highlighting the ongoing struggles for land and resources.
In Hot Springs, Bseiso depicts four children submerged in a small pool, alluding to the dual significance of water as both a scarce resource and a symbol of freedom and hope. Her series Longing: In Between Homelands portrays Jordanian villages situated along man-made borders, documenting communities grappling with the challenges of geopolitical conflict, water shortages, and an uncertain future where the next war may be over water.
Ameen Abo Kaseem (b. 1998) is a Palestinian-Syrian documentary photographer, based in Beirut. Kaseem’s work captures the tension between everyday concerns and those brought on by political conflict and uncertainty, often juxtaposing both states within a single work. Through intimate portraits and scenes of life in exile, Abo Kaseem explores themes of survival, resilience, and the ways in which individuals navigate a world shaped by war and uncertainty. His images are often paired with text, such as “What are you scared from? Death? No, I’m afraid from being left behind” and “I wonder: if I were born on the other side of the world, would I be in this same moment?”, offering poignant reflections on displacement, time, and identity.
Lina Khalid (b. 1991) is a Palestinian-Jordanian Photographer and Filmmaker, born in Amman. Khalid’s work often explores themes of personal identity and the complexities of life, intertwining personal nostalgia with broader geopolitical tensions. Growing up as a Palestinian refugee in Jordan, Khalid would visit the Dead Sea with her family, where the landscape offered views of Palestine from afar. In her work "Looking Over There is a Sin," Lina portrays the Dead Sea in soft black-and-white tones, symbolizing a distant hope and the painful proximity of home. Despite its peaceful appearance, her photographs are marked by the presence of man-made borders: fences, watchtowers, and other signs of the physical andpsychological divisions imposed on refugees.This exhibition features artists from the Arab Documentary Photography Program (ADPP), which is a joint initiative of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, the Magnum Foundation, and the Prince Claus Fund. The ADPP provides mentorship and resources to photographers from across the Middle East and North Africa.
About Palo Gallery
Established in 2018 in New York City by third-generation art collector and dealer Paul Henkel, Palo Gallery brings to bear a tradition of art scholarship and patronage, working as a true thought partner with artists to realize their visions and create dynamic presentations. Originating as a pop-up gallery,Palo opened its 3,400-square-foot flagship space designed by Selldorf Architects in 2022 in the NoHo district of Manhattan, and is the only dedicated partner showcasing Vica by Annabelle Selldorf. Palo Gallery’s strong artistic development, favorable press coverage and relationships with US and international museums paved the way for unprecedented local expansion. In June 2024, Palo opened its second gallery location in New York City. Since its inception, Palo Gallery has sought to incorporate thematic elements into its curatorial practice – whether it be group shows or solo presentations. Early
exhibitions marked the gallery’s foray into concept-driven presentations focusing on themes of memory and our most primitive instincts. Today, the gallery continues to showcase thematic presentations, offering their artists a unique opportunity to explore pivotal cultural and historical topics.
Media Contact
FITZ & CO | Sarah St. Amand | sstamand@fitzandco.com | +1 978 844 4086
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