Amna Elhassan
One Meal A Day, 2024; Beans & Lentils, 2024; Takia, 2024; Food Lines I, 2024; Food Lines II, 2024
Amna Elhassan, One Meal a Day, 2024; Courtesy the artist, Photo:
Working primarily in the media of painting and printmaking, Amna Elhassan (*1988, Khartoum, SD) reflects on cultural traditions, everyday practices and their impact on community life.
Amna Elhassan – audio guide in plain language
The Sudanese city of Khartoum has been struggling with the devastating effects of the brutal war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary militia RSF since the spring of 2023, resulting in countless deaths and the displacement and flight of millions of people. In view of the ongoing escalation, Elhassan and her family also decided to move away from their hometown, leaving relatives who stayed behind. Amidst the increasing violence and suffering, a historical tradition was revived in various neighbourhoods in Khartoum: the sharing of food as a community-building and defensive practice. Beyond the mere provision of nutrition, sharing food symbolizes a collective experience of perseverance and transformation. Drawing on her own experiences, the artist illustrates and celebrates the role of sharing food as a catalyst for communication, intimacy and healing processes in the works created for the exhibition. Along this line, she also highlights the value of adaptability in new life situations and the need for solidarity in times of crisis.