Jamal Khamis will make his return to the art scene of Amsterdam with a new collection of paintings displayed in the Oosterkerk of Amsterdam.
The exhibition of Khamis takes place from Sunday, May 23 until Saturday, May 29 in the Oosterkerk of Amsterdam. The collection consists of new paintings and also contains the awarded painting ‘Heet in Stockholm’ (Galileo Galilei Award 2014). The artworks can be obtained by donating directly to War Child Holland. The organization will use the funds to assist children and families in Lebanon.
The new collection was made after his recovery in Heliomare, a rehabilitation center. Before then, he was bedridden for much of several years. Each time longer than before. Up until his muscles barely seemed to work. His traumas and physical ailments had a paralysing effect on his body. Doctors examined him. Physical diagnoses were inconclusive. Mentally he didn’t receive the help that was needed. Ultimately, it was his art that saved him.
On August 5, 2020, everything changed. The city of Beirut was struck by a catastrophe with thousands of victims. Hundreds of thousands became homeless. Aside from the physical damage, there is also the mental consequence. Trauma. Not unlike Khamis, the victims of the explosion were hit psychologically. “I was shocked by the explosion in Beirut. It brought back the experience of the Bijlmer disaster”, said the artist who experienced the deadly plane crash of 1992 from close by.
The Beirut disaster hit a nerve for the artist. That is why he is collecting funds to assist the recovery of the people in Beirut. “Humans are there for one another. It is our duty to help each other. When you are confronted with someone in need, you cannot escape it. It is in our nature to help. Who does not do so is an exception. Even animals help animals.”
The program of the official opening lasts for two hours and can be accessed by invitation only. After that, the exhibition opens up to the general public. To ensure the safety of visitors regarding Covid-19, timeslots have to be reserved in advance. By holding a responsible art exhibition, the Amsterdam art scene can start its own healing process as well.
Because of the Covid-19 safety measures, reservations can only be made online through the event’s official website. There is a limit to how many people will be allowed in the building at the same time and face masks are mandatory.
While the exhibition can be visited for free, everyone can support the cause by donating online through the special donation page of War Child Holland. By donating at least 25 euros, a raffle can be entered to win a painting by Khamis. One random donor will be selected to receive the painting ‘Never Forget’. More information about the raffle can be found on the aforementioned donation page and on the Healing through art website.
