nisreen tahhan

I am a multidisciplinary artist, architect, and cultural practitioner whose work bridges the personal and collective through photography, socially engaged art, and architecture. My practice incorporates analogue photography, darkroom techniques, alternative printing methods, sculpture, and installation art. Studying architecture has shaped my ability to read environments and communities, guiding me toward social architecture and influencing my artistic approach to working with marginalized groups.

My work shifted significantly when I co-founded Sada Movement, an art initiative focused on reimagining the socio-political approach to art in Palestine. Through Sada, we explored new ways of archiving history through art, making it accessible to marginalized communities and engaging them through workshops. We exhibited in unconventional spaces and on the streets, emphasizing community-scale engagement.

Collaborations have been central to my practice. These included using dried cactus fibers with Roba Alfraouna to reflect on the transformation of the Palestinian village of Lifta and nature's reclamation of abandoned spaces. With Hanin Ismail, I mapped Ma’amila Cemetery before its demolition. During the Sounds of Places Artist Residency, I developed Cremisan Herbarium with Sofia Lambro, documenting the valley’s plants.

Workshops remain a cornerstone of my practice. Cyanotype printing with plants, archiving surroundings, and a lino-print workshop using natural clay-based ink in collaboration with different local artists are just a few examples. Within Al Ma’mal Foundation, as programs manager, I created educational programs that explored new ways of teaching and interdisciplinary approaches to the arts, collaborating with local artists and adjusting curricula to specific places.

Currently, my work is tied to my family’s land in Jericho, where I am creating an art residency. Using banana leaves, palm fibers, and fallen fruits, I transform natural materials into sustainable resources for papermaking and printmaking, reflecting environmental sustainability and preserving the land through art.

+info: https://nisreentahhan.myportfolio.com/