The stunning artistry of Palestinian-Italian photographer Nidaa Badwan takes center stage this winter with The Saving Light, a solo exhibition at the prestigious Musei Civici Palazzo Buonaccorsi in Macerata, Italy. This exhibition, running from November 29, 2024, to March 30, 2025, celebrates Badwan as the winner of the 7th edition of the Premio Pannaggi/Nuova Generazione 2024.
Curated by art historian Paola Ballesi, The Saving Light unveils a series of photographs that engage in an evocative dialogue with the historic Palazzo Buonaccorsi. Badwan’s images, suffused with theatricality and symbolic resonance, explore themes of selfhood, memory, and transcendence, bridging the grandeur of the past with the nuances of modernity.
The Artist and Her Journey
Born in Abu Dhabi in 1987 and raised in Gaza, Nidaa Badwan is a trailblazer in the realm of conceptual photography. Now residing in Italy, she has gained international acclaim for her powerful works that blend autobiographical elements with universal themes.
Badwan first rose to prominence with her series Cento Giorni di Solitudine (One Hundred Days of Solitude) in 2016. This groundbreaking project, which earned international attention, including coverage in The New York Times, documented her self-imposed exile of 20 months in her room in Gaza as a peaceful protest against oppression.
Her subsequent works, including Le Oscure Notti dell’Anima (The Dark Nights of the Soul, 2020) and Rinascita (Rebirth, 2024), showcase her evolution as an artist. These pieces highlight her distinctive use of saturated colors and light to craft compelling narratives that delve into the psyche and spirit.
The Exhibition: A Dialogue of Light and Memory
For The Saving Light, Badwan has created site-specific works that capture the essence of Palazzo Buonaccorsi. She describes the venue as “a place of spirit, steeped in history, magic, and symbolism.” Her photographs weave together the personal and the historical, presenting the body as a theatrical stage and light as a transformative force.
The exhibition also includes highlights from her earlier projects, offering a decade-spanning perspective on her artistic journey. From the angelic introspection of The Dark Nights of the Soul to the luminous vitality of Rebirth, the collection underscores Badwan’s unique ability to blend introspection with visual storytelling.
The Premio Pannaggi: A Platform for Emerging Talent
Established by the Associazione Amici di Palazzo Buonaccorsi, the Premio Pannaggi/Nuova Generazione is dedicated to promoting young, under-40 artists in the Marche region and beyond. This year’s jury, composed of prominent art experts, recognized Badwan for her innovative vision and her ability to create a distinctive artistic language that resonates globally.
Exhibition Details
- Venue: Musei Civici Palazzo Buonaccorsi, Via Don Minzoni 24, Macerata
- Dates: November 29, 2024 – March 30, 2025
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–13:00 / 15:00–18:30
- Admission: Free
Additional Highlights
A bilingual exhibition catalog featuring critical essays and an exclusive dialogue between Badwan and art historian Maria Letizia Paiato will be available. A video presentation will also offer insights into the artist’s creative process and philosophy.
This initiative is made possible through the support of Simonelli Group, in collaboration with cultural institutions such as the Centro Studi Pannaggi, CeSma, and others.
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