Abeer Aref | عبير عارف

ZK/U FELLOW INTRODUCTION / ABEER AREF / 03 DECEMBER 2025 – 28 FEBRUARY 2026 Abeer Aref @abeeraref is a Yemeni artist and architect. Her photographic practice is rooted in capturing the quiet poetics of everyday life, drawing deeply from her immediate surroundings and cultural context. Through a lens that is both intimate and observational, Abeer navigates personal experiences while engaging broader narratives of connection and distance. Her work thoughtfully examines the intersection of culture and identity, the evolving relationship between individuals and their environments, and the ongoing discourse around gender equality. Abeer's artistic project at ZK/U investigates the intertwining of personal narratives, memory, and the urban landscape. Through photography and an interactive crossword puzzle, Abeer explores the complex relationship between identity and place, reflecting on her experiences of migration and the quest for belonging. As she navigates Berlin's diverse environments, she captures the city’s emotional landscape. This project aims to reveal the nuanced connections between Abeer's past and present, highlighting the interplay of personal history and the vibrancy of urban life. / This residency takes place as part of “لسة / not yet / still,” a regional project in the field of visual arts, initiated by the Goethe-Institutes in North Africa and the Middle East and implemented in cooperation with ZK/U – Center for Art and Urbanistics. Photos (c) Elisa Georgi #zkuberlin #residency #residents #berlinresidency #artresidency #research #art #urbanistics

Abeer Aref - Yemen In My Nights, Jasmine Blooms This photo project delves into the delicate balance between freedom and belonging, inspired by the poignant contrast between the safety and liberty of night walks in Amman and the constraints of my homeland. The project captures the fleeting moments of liberation, symbolized by the night-blooming jasmine, a flower that mirrors the transient nature of freedom itself. As the jasmine blossoms under the night sky, so too does the hope for a future where freedom and belonging are not fleeting illusions. The project juxtaposes the vibrant, nocturnal scenes of Amman with personal reflections on identity, memory, and the longing for a true home. Each photograph, rendered in black and white, evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing. The intentional blurriness captures the transient nature of memory, highlighting the fleeting moments of freedom and belonging. As the night ends and the jasmine season fades, so too does this temporary sense of liberation, echoing the cyclical nature of displacement and the constant search for a place to truly belong. @abeeraref #photographymagazine #contemporaryphotography #yemeniphotographer #visualartist

What Remains? Installation art made of ice developed during this year’s summer academy titled ‘Rehearsing Realities’ at @daratalfunun #Installation #iceInstallation #yemeniartist #abeeraref #artInstallation

This year during the summer academy titled “Rehearsing Realities” at @daratalfunun . Over five weeks, I immersed myself in an abundance of ideas, observations, and experimentation. Also had the opportunity to participate in workshops, including a photography workshop with @nadiabseiso and an eye-opening workshop with Raed Ibrahim. With the guidance of mentor and artist Raeda Saadeh, I’ve emerged with a new creative perspective and culminated our experience with an open studio showcase of our work. So grateful for this experience and the amazing group I shared it with!

Abeer Aref offers an intimate look at Yemen through her lens, focusing on traces and lives that often go unnoticed. Her work reflects on personal memory, displacement, and belonging.

Hi everyone, @abeeraref here, for my final post of the takeover, sharing my project: ‘In My Nights, Jasmine Blooms’ I was inspired by my night walks in Amman, where I explored the balance between freedom and belonging. The photographs capture fleeting moments of liberation, using the beautiful, transient night-blooming jasmine as a symbol. Each photograph is a reflection on identity, memory, and the longing for a true home. As the jasmine blossoms under the night sky, it mirrors the temporary nature of freedom itself. Thank you for sharing this space with me over the last four days! #solajournal #solajournaltakeover

Hi everyone, @abeeraref here, on day 4 of the takeover. sharing a few more images from ‘So Far Away, Yet So Close.’ In this body of work, I use photography as a tool to bridge the gap between loved ones. Each image serves as a testament to the warmth and beauty that persists, despite the miles and difficulties between us. #solajournal #solajournaltakeover

Hi everyone, @abeeraref here, and we’ve made it to Day 3 of the takeover! Today, I will share another personal project “So Far Away, Yet So Close” explores the feelings of longing and homesickness intensified by the ongoing war in Yemen and distance. As my family is scattered around the world, I find solace in capturing everyday moments that remind me of our enduring connection and love, no matter how far apart we are. #solajournal #solajournaltakeover

Hi everyone, @abeeraref here, with my second post of the day. Here are more images from the ‘Home as a Container’ project. Home as Container allowed me to examine the deep-rootedness of what I understood as home. With all changes I face, the idea of who I am remains in contact with cultural values and memories. 

As I face new environments, my ‘container’ holds those flavors of comfort and essential memories. They are the constants I carry. #solajournal #solajournaltakeover

Hi @abeeraref again Home is so much more than a physical space. For me, it’s a container for the emotional, cultural, and social dimensions that truly define who we are. That’s the idea behind “Home as a Container,” a collaborative project with Dutch artist @asjakeeman We worked in close correspondence and reflected deeply on our childhoods. For my part of the work, I explored how I carry my sense of home with me by drawing inspiration from fond memories of my mother. #solajournal #solajournaltakeover

Hello, I’m Abeer Aref @abeeraref , taking over @sola_journal for the next few days. I am a Yemeni visual artist and architect. My practice is rooted in capturing the quiet poetics of everyday life, drawing deeply from my surroundings and cultural context. Through a lens that is both intimate and observational, I navigate personal experiences while engaging with broader narratives of connection and distance. My work thoughtfully examines the intersection of culture and identity, as well as the evolving relationship between individuals and their environments. Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing my journey and insights into my work. I hope you will enjoy my takeover! The first piece I’ll be showing is a photo from my project, "Home as a container." I will explain a little more about the project in the next post. Thanks for following along! #solajournal #solajournaltakeover

⚡️ARTIST SPOTLIGHT⚡️ Introducing Abeer Aref, a selected artist for this year’s group exhibition ‘Imprints’🌾 . Check @abeeraref to see more of Abeer’s work . Opening Ceremony: November 29, 2025 Sponsored by Jordan Kuwait Bank @afaneenca