exhibition

Middle East Archive

Foam and Middle East Archive present a two-part exhibition project in Amsterdam-West, comprising a solo exhibition at Mercatorplein and a group presentation at MAQAM (Kolenkitbuurt). Both presentations are based on the latest MEA publication, Al Nisa / Women, and are curated in collaboration with Romaisa Baddar, founder of Middle East Archive. Through Galerie Mercatorplein and its satellite location MAQAM, Foam has a long-standing presence in Amsterdam-West and maintains close ties with the area’s diverse communities. The two exhibitions are part of a multi-year trajectory that will continue in 2027 with an exhibition at Foam.

About the exhibition

Foam x Middle East Archive is a collaborative project focused on visual culture from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Taking place across two locations in Amsterdam-West.

Yomna El Beyaly’s solo exhibition at Mercatorplein offers an intimate and nuanced portrayal of the everyday lives of women and girls in Egypt, capturing rituals of care, beauty, togetherness, and public presence. Her images present women not as symbols, but as complex individuals with distinct lived experiences.

At MAQAM, a group presentation brings together work by Najla Said, Rania Matar, Chiara Wettmann, Farah Al Qasimi, Mariam El Gendy, Haneen Hadiy, Taqwa Bint Ali, Tanya Habjouqa, Yumna Al Arashi, and Nadia Bseiso. By opening simultaneously, the two exhibitions enter into a dialogue across locations, encouraging visitors to experience both venues and engage with the project as a whole.

The exhibitions will be inaugurated together in a festive opening attended by local residents, project partners, and visitors from across the city. This joint opening connects the public space of Mercatorplein with the more intimate setting of MAQAM, inviting audiences to explore both locations and discover the full scope of the project.

Throughout the exhibition period, Foam will organise a public programme aimed at fostering active engagement with residents of Amsterdam-West. The programme will include workshops at MAQAM as well as activities such as guided photography tours of Mercatorplein.

The exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Gemeente Amsterdam, Stadsdeel West and the Leeuwensteinstichting.