Since the early 1990s, cities around the world have taken the initiative to invite a writer or journalist who is not able to operate freely in his homeland. In September 2015, the Swedish city of Gävle decided to become a member in the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN). Participating towns are linked by this independent organization that consists of the members themselves; cities and regions that offer protection to endangered artists and promotes freedom of expression, hospitality and international solidarity.

Issa Touma, from Aleppo (SYR), was invited to come to Gävle in spring 2016. Touma will have his base in the city for two years to continue his artistic work. Touma’s recent photographic work Women We Have Not Lost Yet, and the film 9 Days – From My Window in Aleppo in which the artist shows the urgent role that arts and culture play in conflict areas, will be on show at the Gävle Art Centre from 7 December 2016 till 5 March 2017.

This exhibition is a production of Paradox, Gävle Konstcentrum and Le Pont Gallery.

Exhibition

7 Dec 2016 - 5 Mar 2017

Gävle Konstcentrum, Gävle, Sweden

Issa Touma has been a central figure in Aleppo’s art scene since the mid-1990s and has continued his artistic activity despite repeated pressure. The basis for Touma practice is Le Pont Gallery in the heart of Aleppo since 1996 has served as an artistic and intellectual haven. Here he has annually organized art events such as the International Photography Festival Aleppo and the International Women’s Art Festival.

My name is Dima. Since the war started, I’ve said goodbye to so many people. I stopped meeting people so I wouldn’t have to say goodbye any more. I’ve lost any sense of being alive. I’m staying in Aleppo to nish my studies, and every night I count the bombs exploding around my house until I fall asleep. age: 21 occupation: student nationality: Arab Syrian religion: Sunni Muslim
My name is Dima. Since the war started, I’ve said goodbye to so many people. I stopped meeting people so I wouldn’t have to say goodbye any more. I’ve lost any sense of being alive. I’m staying in Aleppo to nish my studies, and every night I count the bombs exploding around my house until I fall asleep. age: 21 occupation: student nationality: Arab Syrian religion: Sunni Muslim
© Issa Touma
My name is Zanous. I’m not afraid to die, but I am afraid of a mental or physical handicap. I believe that God is the almighty saviour, and I intend to stay here in Aleppo. age: 26 occupation: jewellery maker nationality: Kurdish Syrian religion: Yazidi
My name is Zanous. I’m not afraid to die, but I am afraid of a mental or physical handicap. I believe that God is the almighty saviour, and I intend to stay here in Aleppo. age: 26 occupation: jewellery maker nationality: Kurdish Syrian religion: Yazidi
© Issa Touma
My name is Enfwan. When the war started, I convinced all of my relatives and friends to leave town so that I wouldn’t have to worry about their safety. As for me, I didn’t have the courage to leave. I love my life here. But day by day, with the ongoing destruction, Aleppo is changing. And more and more people have gone. It’s no longer the city I know. I’ve now decided to leave as well. age:24 occupation: graphic designer nationality: Arab Syrian religion: Sunni Muslim
My name is Enfwan. When the war started, I convinced all of my relatives and friends to leave town so that I wouldn’t have to worry about their safety. As for me, I didn’t have the courage to leave. I love my life here. But day by day, with the ongoing destruction, Aleppo is changing. And more and more people have gone. It’s no longer the city I know. I’ve now decided to leave as well. age:24 occupation: graphic designer nationality: Arab Syrian religion: Sunni Muslim
© Issa Touma
My name is Shahi. I’m from a village near Kobani. At the time we were still occupied by ISIS, I had to take exams in Aleppo to enrol in the Faculty of Fine Arts. We walked for three days, crossing the Turkish border and back, afraid all the time of mines. But I passed the exam; I’m so happy! age: 20 occupation: art student nationality: Kurdish Syrian religion: Muslim
My name is Shahi. I’m from a village near Kobani. At the time we were still occupied by ISIS, I had to take exams in Aleppo to enrol in the Faculty of Fine Arts. We walked for three days, crossing the Turkish border and back, afraid all the time of mines. But I passed the exam; I’m so happy! age: 20 occupation: art student nationality: Kurdish Syrian religion: Muslim
© Issa Touma

Related projects

  3. Studio Aleppo

    Launch 2016 Issa Touma, Koos Breukel, Juuso Westerlund, Robin de Puy, Ostkreuz Agency

    Picturing (new) European citizens

    2016 , Issa Touma, Koos Breukel, Juuso Westerlund, Robin de Puy, Ostkreuz Agency
      The war in Syria demolished major parts of the city of Aleppo. Public buildings, apartment blocks and shops are bombed and looted, sometimes leaving personal belongings scattered through the streets. One morning in 2015, Syrian photographer Issa Touma found the remains of a collection of glass plates, negatives and prints from a photo studio...