News
Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil on show again in Museum Arnhem
Oussama’s monumental painting Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil is back on show in Museum Arnhem. It is now part of the exhibition Woman with Wings, which runs until 21 September 2025. This exhibition shows contemporary art from India, but also works from the collection of Museum Arnhem, e.g. Kinke Kooi, Maria Roosen, Oussama Diab. These combinations offer a new perspective on contemporary art from India and show how art from different cultures and eras can be connected.
Book Launch of Abdelkader Benali’s latest novel
The novel De opdracht van de Moor (The Assignment of the Moor) by Dutch writer Abdelkader Benali was commissioned by the municipality of Nijmegen, and is set against the backdrop of an international setting: Nijmegen, Venice, Dubai and Tangier are connected in the novel through various threads. The stories of refugees play an important role in the book, and here Oussama Diab enters the narrative: the character Mahmoud, who arrives in Nijmegen as a refugee in 2015, is inspired by his life story.
At the presentation of De opdracht van de Moor in Nijmegen’s town hall on Jan. 16, 2025, works by Oussama featured prominently in the program’s decor. The first and second copies of the book were presented to Oussama and to Mayor Bruls of Nijmegen.
Metropolis M about Oussama’s Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil
Contemporary art magazine Metropolis M writes in its December/January 2025 issue about the acquisition of Oussama’s Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil by Museum Arnhem. In this article, Manon Braat, curator of contemporary art at the museum, explains the museum’s choice of this work. She calls the work “…not only artistically impressive, but also urgent in terms of content within the mission of Museum Arnhem.”
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Work by Oussama included in the art collection of the province of Gelderland
Oussama’s Hand and Cloud has been acquired by the province of Gelderland. The provincial art collection includes over 2,600 works; prominent artists such as Klaas Gubbels and Maria Roosen are also represented in this collection.
Oussama on Hand and Cloud:
“The painting shows an image of my own hand. I like to paint and draw hands; they appear in several of my works. The hand is, after the face, the most fascinating and complex part of the human body to depict. A hand is so detailed, and every hand is different. And just like a face, the hand tells an authentic and personal story.”
Hand and Cloud | 2023 | 120 x 80 cm | mixed media on canvas
New acquisition by a.s.r. & Aegon
The Stichting Kunst & Historisch Bezit a.s.r. & Aegon has acquired Oussama’s work Boat Trip I. The work is currently on display at the headquarters of a.s.r. in Utrecht.
Oussama on Boat Trip I: “Since I had to cross the Mediterranean Sea in a small boat, the boat has become for me the symbol of my refugeehood (and also of the refugeehood of my parents, who had to flee their country earlier and in different circumstances). The boat symbolizes loss, but also hope and a new beginning. It often appears in my recent work. In this painting I express that everyone makes their own boat journey through life, everyone cherishes their own hope.”
Boat Trip I | 2023 | 150 x 180 cm | mixed media on canvas
Museum Arnhem Acquired Painting by Oussama Diab
Oussama’s painting Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil, that was shown at the exhibition To Each their own, has been acquired by Museum Arnhem. Since September 2024 this monumental work has been part of the collection of the museum.
To each their own. Oussama exhibits at Museum Arnhem
Museum Arnhem has invited Oussama Diab and three other artists to respond to Klaas Gubbels’ work. Oussama’s works on display include the monumental Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil, and 12 watercolours.
To each their own. New talent responds to Klaas Gubbels is on show from 28 April to 18 August 2024, at the same time as the exhibition Klaas Gubbels – Long live Art.
A Real Bad dream. Oussama exhibits at Artbooth Gallery, Abu Dhabi
Oussama exhibits at Artbooth Gallery in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) from 2 to 27 May 2024. A Real Bad Dream features seven of Oussama’s recent paintings.
Boat Trip II | 2023 | 130 x 130 cm | mixed media on canvas
