![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOLLM55UCRAM7KQM66FXSC2MWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d0e5d452fa8523d173ea685f48c170503f57f3dce2d3d3bb7562141e0945788&width=400&height=225)
Eleven years and counting. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z4EIJ3MGANEXLIJP3T7RJHHJW4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=1b98857f8367bdf088f4aaa1a9be7ad4b7aea81e6408ac5865059242b4a084fd&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash Time-Lapse. This performance by the Syrian-born artist Issam Kourbaj was created to mark one decade since the beginning of the Syrian uprising. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7ZVI7MGFNVCEBJW2GVSGF44B2E.png?smart=true&auth=bdc41086c63a48835634da02ff1df06312d190ab61c5957fd65a7c8d4da6082d&width=400&height=225)
It was first performed and livestreamed on March 15, 2021 – the tenth anniversary of the first day of unrest. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STUORHDTM5ESLOEA5YXEEHBIKY.png?smart=true&auth=f590df54cce66c1bcf0d2793062ad156db646886e1c85bfe3318718077356932&width=400&height=225)
The recording of this performance has been screened in several locations worldwide. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCWVPTSM4BAOXARTQOAC243QUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=02d3a3463fce4f9ef6cff157e1b20454881a43cbcc1e10a86c527cd6897d0305&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash by artist Issam Kourbaj. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RN7LSQCKJFFD5KT2BAHM5KP7GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=af1ad5c7409fdbea79e02ab37e8d1aa1d306ce0c959f1b58e89ee4761df31dc0&width=400&height=225)
It was also shown in several cultural institutions and churches across the UK, Europe, Middle East and US during Refugee Week. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PIQZJMGDINCLPJTYTATNYHEJCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd399b6acd349de36f42d3cb5d49d030dee96bf5203cc3cc81af3133515adf80&width=400&height=225)
The idea of screening it in several locations and on the internet reflects the breadth of the Syrian diaspora. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LGE5EHT3SNEWBAFJY4JDVAR6HQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5987f8e9990eed2e728ce8f79c8774d9f75393f02fbab9982ac16572d6fdc9ac&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash by artist Issam Kourbaj. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WIHLCF6TXJFZPNMX6C234NRNKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=df3e3ad841c7d7c8c7115860b68063875894cde01de742e76ccfc06336008f72&width=400&height=225)
Many Syrians have been forced to leave their destroyed homes and erased cities, and are now scattered around the world. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y72N335HLRFKTE2IV4T3BOORBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=599b97d3cb414e029afe5168ac77466a0dcf50aed4071d77d4a27bf13665a339&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash by artist Issam Kourbaj. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOLLM55UCRAM7KQM66FXSC2MWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d0e5d452fa8523d173ea685f48c170503f57f3dce2d3d3bb7562141e0945788&width=400&height=225)
Eleven years and counting. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z4EIJ3MGANEXLIJP3T7RJHHJW4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=1b98857f8367bdf088f4aaa1a9be7ad4b7aea81e6408ac5865059242b4a084fd&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash Time-Lapse. This performance by the Syrian-born artist Issam Kourbaj was created to mark one decade since the beginning of the Syrian uprising. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7ZVI7MGFNVCEBJW2GVSGF44B2E.png?smart=true&auth=bdc41086c63a48835634da02ff1df06312d190ab61c5957fd65a7c8d4da6082d&width=400&height=225)
It was first performed and livestreamed on March 15, 2021 – the tenth anniversary of the first day of unrest. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STUORHDTM5ESLOEA5YXEEHBIKY.png?smart=true&auth=f590df54cce66c1bcf0d2793062ad156db646886e1c85bfe3318718077356932&width=400&height=225)
The recording of this performance has been screened in several locations worldwide. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCWVPTSM4BAOXARTQOAC243QUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=02d3a3463fce4f9ef6cff157e1b20454881a43cbcc1e10a86c527cd6897d0305&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash by artist Issam Kourbaj. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RN7LSQCKJFFD5KT2BAHM5KP7GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=af1ad5c7409fdbea79e02ab37e8d1aa1d306ce0c959f1b58e89ee4761df31dc0&width=400&height=225)
It was also shown in several cultural institutions and churches across the UK, Europe, Middle East and US during Refugee Week. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PIQZJMGDINCLPJTYTATNYHEJCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd399b6acd349de36f42d3cb5d49d030dee96bf5203cc3cc81af3133515adf80&width=400&height=225)
The idea of screening it in several locations and on the internet reflects the breadth of the Syrian diaspora. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LGE5EHT3SNEWBAFJY4JDVAR6HQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5987f8e9990eed2e728ce8f79c8774d9f75393f02fbab9982ac16572d6fdc9ac&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash by artist Issam Kourbaj. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WIHLCF6TXJFZPNMX6C234NRNKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=df3e3ad841c7d7c8c7115860b68063875894cde01de742e76ccfc06336008f72&width=400&height=225)
Many Syrians have been forced to leave their destroyed homes and erased cities, and are now scattered around the world. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y72N335HLRFKTE2IV4T3BOORBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=599b97d3cb414e029afe5168ac77466a0dcf50aed4071d77d4a27bf13665a339&width=400&height=225)
Imploded, burned, turned to ash by artist Issam Kourbaj. Photo: The Heong Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOLLM55UCRAM7KQM66FXSC2MWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d0e5d452fa8523d173ea685f48c170503f57f3dce2d3d3bb7562141e0945788&width=400&height=225)
Eleven years and counting. Photo: Issam Kourbaj
Worldwide screenings of Syrian artist's work to put spotlight on refugees
A drawing and sound artwork by UK-based Issam Kourbaj will be shown around the world during Refugee Week
![Layla Maghribi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F41799156-c4c3-48e2-8cd3-750f14ad1b43.png?smart=true&auth=b17f0ecc14a9d21411e9eb2dfd97537a1d213deef0e49b230d0f828e9502e58d&width=70&height=70)
Layla Maghribi
19 June, 2022
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