we refuse_d
13 Mar - 7 Jun 2026
we refuse_d brings together fifteen artists whose practices explore refusal, endurance, and action—asking what it means to persist, resist, and create under conditions of silencing, censorship, and displacement.
Developed through ongoing dialogue between artists and curators, we refuse_d is both a collective statement and a space for solidarity. It resonates with the spirit of the nineteenth-century Parisian Salon des Refusés, drawing attention to the fragile optimism and resilience that emerge in times of crisis.
Most of the works are new commissions, presented by artists who affirm the necessity of art as presence. Through the lens of refusal, their works trace paths of persistence, resistance, heritage, community, collective care, and repair.
Above all, we refuse_d is an exhibition about life, persistence, and the necessity of making art.
| Dear visitor,
During the exhibition, you will notice that a number of works are not yet physically present. In their place, you will find an image of the artwork, accompanied by a note indicating where it is currently located. Due to the war situation and its logistical consequences, the transport of these works has been delayed or remains uncertain. As long as this is the case, their temporary absence and the substitute images form part of the exhibition. More important than the works themselves, however, are the people behind them: the artists, many of whom are currently unable to travel and are located in different parts of the region. From the very beginning, we refuse_d has been shaped by urgency. The participating artists have responded to this with commitment and perseverance. The fact that some works are temporarily not present is not a curatorial choice and not a form of censorship, but a consequence of the circumstances in which this exhibition has come into being. Their absence helps make that reality visible. |
Artists
Jumana Manna, Barış Doğrusöz, Nour Shantout, Samia Halaby, Emily Jacir, Taysir Batniji, yasmine eid-sabbagh (with Tabara Korka Ndiaye and Ndeye Debo Seck), Khalil Rabah, Oraib Toukan, DAAR (Sandi Hilal, Alessandro Petti), Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara, Majd Abdelhamid, Dima Srouji, Suha Shoman, and Walid Raad (with Pierre Huyghebaert).
Curated by Nadia Radwan and Vasıf Kortun.
we refuse_d is produced by Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, on the occasion of their 15th anniversary, and presented in partnership with M HKA.
Dig deeper
Those wishing to dig deeper can visit the online platform created especially for we refuse_d. There, you will find more information about the participating artists and the works on display, as well as contextual material and the public programme accompanying the exhibition.
![Suchan Kinoshita, Arrows [Pijlen], 2002. Collectie M HKA](https://wp-assets-sh.imgix.net/sites/15610/2026/05/web-image_04_Kinoshita.jpg?ar=3%3A2&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&auto=format&q=60&dpr=1&h=305)
