Gallery Exhibitions

Conspicuous Whorl

9.28.2024 - 10.27.24

LVL3  proudly presents Conspicuous Whorl, a group show featuring Palestinian artists from across the country. Held in dedication to platforming and amplifying the voices of Palestinian artists, Conspicuous Whorl focuses on themes surrounding culture, community, and identity. The whorl of the poppy, an anchoring center point surrounded by a swirling cluster; with the poppy as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, resilience, and heritage, Conspicuous Whorl acts as an anchoring point for our contributing artists to celebrate and share their inner lives.

In addition to displayed works, Conspicuous Whorl will be host to film screenings held during open hours on Sundays starting at 2:30 with a suggested donation going towards select causes. Proceeds from the sale of works and screenings will be donated to benefits of the participating artists’ choice.

Press Release

Opening: Saturday, September 28th, 6-9PM

Chicago Exhibition Weekend extended hours: Friday, October 4th, 5-8PM;  Saturday, October 5th, 1-4PM

Screening hours: Sundays from 2:30-4PM

  • Sept. 29th: Farah (2015) dir. by Farheen Umar — Arabic and English
    • Farah tells a human story about a 3-year-old girl who travels from Gaza to California to treat wounds caused by the 2008 War on Gaza, to find there the Palestinian woman, Amal Jubran, who takes care of her in her home as one of her children.
  • Oct. 6th: Israelism (2023) dir. by Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen — English
    • When two young American Jews raised to unconditionally love Israel witness the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians, their lives take sharp left turns. They join a movement of young American Jews battling the old guard to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel, revealing a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity.
  • Oct. 13th: 5 Broken Cameras (2012) dir. by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi — English
    • A documentary on a Palestinian farmer’s chronicle of his nonviolent resistance to the actions of the Israeli army.
  • Oct. 20th: Gaza Surf Club (2016) dir. by Philip Gnadt — English
    • Trapped in “the world’s largest open-air prison” and ruled by war, a new generation is drawn to the beaches. Sick of occupation and political gridlock, they find their own personal freedom in the waves of the Mediterranean – they are the surfers of Gaza
  • Oct. 27th: Jenin Jenin (2002) dir. by Mohammad Bakri — Arabic w/ English Subtitles
    • Jenin, Jenin denounces, through the immediate stories of Palestinian witnesses, the crimes committed by the Israeli army during the attack on the Jenin refugee camp. During Operation “Defensive Shield”, in April 2002, the Israeli Defense Forces invaded the Jenin Palestinian refugee camp for 12 days due to the alleged presence of Palestinian terrorists. Since the Israeli army did not allow journalists and international organizations to access the camp for security reasons, the Arab countries thought that a massacre was taking place. Bakri participated in a nonviolent demonstration held at the Jenin checkpoint. On this occasion he declared that he saw Israeli soldiers shoot at the crowd, wounding a friend of his who was next to him. After this he decided to infiltrate the camp to interview the residents and ask them what had happened. The result was Jenin Jenin.

Closing: October 27th

Gallery hours are Sundays 1-4 pm and can also be made by appointment. Email team@lvl3official.com or call/text 312-469-0333 to reserve a time outside of gallery hours

Laith Khalifeh | traté de contarte mi sueño sin decirte exactamente lo que significa (I tried telling you my dream without saying exactly what it means) | 2023 | 24 prints | 6 x 2.5″ each

RIDIKKULUZ | Arab American Girl | 2019 | Acrylic on canvas | 23 x 23″
RIDIKKULUZ | Nerdeen, Within Our Lifetime | 2022 | Acrylic and oil on canvas | 18 x 24″
Dima Zaghal | Sitti (Grandma) | 2024 | Oil and acrylic on burlap, rice grains, thread | 83 x 62″

Wa’el Abu Yabes | Souls (left) and Superpowers (right) | 2021 | Oil on canvas | 40 x 40″

Qais Assali | “I Only Read About Myself on Bathroom Walls”: glossary of dehumanisation | 2024 | 7 digital prints; six minute video | dimensions variable

Samer Owaida | Battle Armor | 2024 | Kaffiyeh, corset material (corset); Tatreez design oil pressed onto fabric (skirt) | 17 x 15 x 9″ (corset); 36 x 12 x 9″ (skirt)

Kiki Salem | امل vs الم (Amal vs Alam [Hope vs Anguish]) | 2022 | Razor wire on welded steel, acrylic on canvas, astroturf, aerosol | 73 x 36 x 73″

Kiki Salem | I Can’t Breathe When I Think About Gaza | 2024 | Mixed textile, brass coins, 9mm brass bullet shells, tassel trimming | 56 x 45″

Conspicuous Whorl Install