diinsi abuur: Broadcast Signals

diinsi abuur: Broadcast Signals marks a significant milestone in the ongoing cultural exchange between Somali-Canadian and Somali-American communities that began three years ago. This exhibition is part of the diinsi abuur program—an initiative dedicated to fostering reciprocal exchanges of artists and artistic ideas across regions with a focus on Somali diaspora communities. The program’s inaugural exchange took place in 2023 at The Bows Gallery in Calgary, where Somali-Minnesotan artists introduced their work to the Somali-Albertan community. Broadcast Signals now broadens this exchange by bringing the perspectives of Somali-Canadian artists Faisa Omer and Siham Salah to Minneapolis, connecting these communities and encouraging shared reflections on identity, memory, and belonging.

Faisa Omer’s Qorrax soo bax/Sunrise series highlights the beauty and resilience of Somali women through portraiture that incorporates cultural references with traditional textiles. Her work celebrates individuality and expressions of identity while inviting dialogue on the preservation of cultural heritage within the diaspora. Siham Salah’s Between Sands and Snow captures the fluidity of identity through landscapes that blend the warmth of Somalia with the starkness of Alberta, reflecting both the passage of time and the shifting contours of home. Through their distinct approaches, both artists engage with themes of migration, belonging, and the emotional ties that connect past and present.

PROGRAMMING:
Saturday, September 14, 6 PM // Reception & Artist Talk w/ Faisa Omer and Siham Salah

Exhibition runs September 14 - October 12, 2024

This project was generously supported by an Arts Across Canada Public Outreach Grant
from the Canada Council for the Arts.