Roots
Installation Dimensions Variable
Jido Hatem (Portrait of Hatem Malaeb)
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Cedar Wood
Installation Dimensions Variable
Jido Hatem (Portrait of Hatem Malaeb)
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Cedar Wood
Baba (Portrait of Eyad Molaeb)
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Olive Wood
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Olive Wood
Uncle (Portrait of Walid Daqqa)
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Olive Wood
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Olive Wood
Jido Kameal (Portrait of Kameal Malaeb)
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Olive Wood
Acrylic Paint on Lebanese Olive Wood
Music:
I come from the honourable land
4 Minutes, 15 Seconds
Lyrics, Vocals and Melody by Hatem Malaeb
Composed by Sallam Molaeb
Background Vocals by Maysa Malaeb & Yasmeen Molaeb
Translation by Safaa Malaeb
I come from the honourable land
4 Minutes, 15 Seconds
Lyrics, Vocals and Melody by Hatem Malaeb
Composed by Sallam Molaeb
Background Vocals by Maysa Malaeb & Yasmeen Molaeb
Translation by Safaa Malaeb
Essay:
Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette
Written by Walid Daqqa
Translation Provided by Dalia Taha
Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette
Written by Walid Daqqa
Translation Provided by Dalia Taha
Documentation (1st Image) by the University of Melbourne
Documentation by Kim Feng Photography
Documentation by Kim Feng Photography
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This is my graduate installation as part of my third year at the Victorian College of the Arts, and has by far been the largest project I have ever worked on.
This is my graduate installation as part of my third year at the Victorian College of the Arts, and has by far been the largest project I have ever worked on.
“Roots” is an installation centring around the theme of cultural roots— the way roots grow, expand, and interconnect. It is a reflection and homage to the roots of my lineage and personal history, and a love letter to my background, my culture and my family. “Roots” is a tribute to the art making within my family, particularly my Jido (my grandfather) through his music, a translation of which can be found on the final slide. Above all, it is dedicated to my father, who embodies everything I admire about what Lebanese culture stands for, and is the greatest example of who deserves to be honoured and centred as such.
This body of work would not have been possible without the help of so many incredible people who have provided me support every step of the way—all of the incredible staff & support at the VCA who have given me an amazing experience and provided me unimaginable levels of guidance, growth and help.
Above all, it could not have been possible without my dad, who has been my biggest supporter, my biggest help and my biggest inspiration from day one.
Thank you for everything, Baba
Thank you for everything, Baba