Here are the five nominees for the Individuals category of this year’s Arab British Centre Award for Culture.
ESTHER MANITO
Lebanese-British comedian Esther Manito is recognized for her courageous, confrontational stand-up — aimed at challenging media misconceptions about Arabs — which she has performed in, among other places, a pub frequented by the right-wing English Defence League.
JULIANA YAZBECK
This Lebanese-American musician’s album “Sungod” is attracting critical acclaim around the world. Written in English and Arabic, her songs, which often feature spoken-word sections, are focused on female empowerment, “reclaiming ancestral wisdom and challenging patriarchal structures.”
OMEIMA MUDAWI ROWLING
The British-Sudanese textiles artist whose work, according to the center, “explores themes of identity and change, communication, heritage and womanhood.” Her art, which employs dyes, screen printing and Devoré technique, is influenced by Arab geometry.
SAMAR ZIADAT
A Glasgow-based freelance curator, educator and activist, Ziadat’s practice “centers on issues of decoloniality” among other things. She is the founder of Dardishi Festival, which “celebrates and showcases Arab and North African women’s contributions to contemporary art and culture.”
NADINE KAADAN
Kaadan, an writer and illustrator of children’s books, has been following her passion since she was eight. Her mission, she says, is “to spread reading culture in the Arab world, in a way that is inspired by Syria’s rich heritage.” Her inclusive take on children’s stories has been recognized with a number of awards.
