In this exhibition, "A Land Without People for a People Without Land", Portuguese graphic designer Nuno Coelho produces a visual discourse around the social tensions of daily life in this region where three continents collide, and proposes a new approach to exploring the Arab-Israeli conflict. This discourse is critical, but it is also ironic, and playfully exposes the absurdity in the current situation.
The exhibition is comprised of large format posters, each with a black and white outline
illustration, which visitors are invited to colour using the coloured
pencils provided. Once again, Nuno Coelho is exploring the familiar
concepts of his work such as the use of vernacular cultural reference
and viewer interaction through print media. The posters display various
maps and graphics, and also include material directly taken from
photographs collected by the artist during a month long trip to
Palestine in 2006, during which he had the opportunity to explore
and research the complex situation in the region.
The absurdity in the current sociopolitical situation is emphasized by
the appropriation of infantile language and iconography. The work
demonstrates the opinion of the artist that
although there is a global discourse surrounding Palestine, few people
can reach beyond shock images and headlines engineered by the Media and
understand the basic principles of the conflict.
Nuno Coelho is a communication Designer, who lives and works in Porto, Portugal. "A Land Without People for a People Without Land" is the first individual exhibition by the artist with work created specifically for the purpose.
