Mirna Bamieh explores the politics of disappearance and memory production by unpacking the social concerns and limitations of Palestinian communities amid contemporary political dilemmas. Since 2019 the artist has also been reflecting on the process of fermentation through text, ceramics and video works incorporated into site-specific interactive installations. Bamieh sees fermentation as a way to extend life, nurture beneficial ecologies, and shift flavors and textures—making it both a metaphor and a method in her multidisciplinary practice.
With degrees in Humanitiesm, Visual arts and culinary studies, she melds food and storytelling to develop socially engaged work through Palestine Hosting Society, Palestine Hosting Society, a live art project she founded in 2018. Staging dinner performances and various interventions that draw from food practices as well as the passage of recipes through generations, the project aims to revitalize traditional Palestinian food cultures on the verge of disappearing.
Bamieh has participated in various international exhibitions and festivals, including ICA Shanghai 2024, Nika Paris 2024, Noordbrabants Museum/ Netherlands, 2024. Nika Project Space/ Dubai, 2023. Sharjah Biennial 15/ Sharjah, 2023. Biennial Gherdeina, Dolomites/ Italy, 2023. Tashweesh Festival- Tanzquartier/ Vienna, 2022. Aesthetic of the Political festival- Bozart /Brussels 2020. Where No Wall Remains, LAB Biennial, New York (2019); Qalandiya Palestine (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018); Museum of Fine Arts, Japan (2017); Tokyo Wonder Site (2017); International Film Festival Rotterdam (2017); After the Last Sky, Berlin (2016); Halcyon, Transart Berlin Triennial (2016); Marrakech Biennial (2016); I Spy With My Little Eye, Mosaic Rooms, London; Casa Árabe, Madrid (2015); Exposure 2014, Beirut Art Center (2014); Encounters Film Festival, Bristol (2014); Cork Film Festival, Ireland (2014); and Eye on Palestine Art and Film Festival, Brussels (2014).
She has taken part in several art residencies, including: Hangar Art investigation Space, Lisbon 2023. The Invisible Dog Art Center, New York (2023, 2021). Windler Stiftung, Stein am Rhein (2023). Binz 39, Zurich (2022). Vooruit, Belgium (2020). Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art, Poland (2019). Tokyo Wonder Site, Japan (2016). Maroc Artist Meeting, Marrakech (2016). Art Omi, New York (2015). Delfina Foundation, London (2012).
Bamieh’s grants and awards include Elizabeth Krief fellowship (2023). Dr Georg and Josi Guggenheim Foundation Award, Zurich (2022). CEC ArtsLink International Fellowship, New York (2020-21). The Visible Project Award (long list), Paris (2017). A.M Qattan Foundation Grant ( 2013, 2014). Artist of the Year, A.M Qattan Foundation (2012).
Her work has been featured on many platforms, such as Aj+, BBC, Hyperallergic, MoMa Ps1, ArteEast, Conde Nast Traveller, Art Monthly, Chronogram, Canvas, El Comodista, al Ahram and Yale Theater magazine, New York Times.
She obtained a BA in Psychology from Birzeit University, Ramallah (2006) and an MFA in Fine Arts from Bezalel Academy for Arts and Design, Tel Aviv (2013), Ashkal Alwan Homeworks Study program, Beirut (2014). Culinary Arts, Kitchenclub Academy, Ramallah (2016).
Contact: mirnabamieh@gmail.com
IG: Palestine Hosting Society