Ben Uri Research Unit

Born: 1953 Teheran, Iran

Year of Migration to the UK: 1985

Biography

Curator and writer Rose Issa was born in Iran in 1953. Her aesthetic journey began with a deep passion for art and cinema, nurtured by her family’s strong engagement with the arts in Beirut. Her parents, avid film enthusiasts, often took her to see international films in their original languages, one of the few high-quality entertainment options in the city. Despite studying mathematics at the American University of Beirut, Issa soon found herself drawn to journalism, working as a translator and correspondent for Iranian Radio Television in Beirut. Her work introduced her to the complexities of the region, igniting her commitment to cultural storytelling (Hyperallergic, 2019).

After the Lebanese Civil War forced her to relocate to Paris, Issa continued her studies at the Sorbonne and École des Langues Orientales. Issa moved to London, England in 1985, where she established the Kufa Gallery under the guidance of Iraqi architect Dr. Mohamed Makiya. In 2005, she founded Rose Issa Projects, through which she became a key figure in showcasing contemporary MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) art in the West. Since then, she has collaborated with major institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Britain, European Parliament, and the Hermitage Museum in Russia, to bring international attention to MENA artists. Known for her ability to discover and amplify both emerging and established talents, Issa has championed influential figures such as filmmaker, Abbas Kiarostami, and artists, Monir Farmanfarmaian, Farhad Moshiri, and Shadi Ghadirian.

In her early work with public institutions, including the British Museum, Issa advocated for expanding collections beyond historical Islamic and Arab art, to include contemporary works by living artists. Curator Venetia Porter embraced this vision, acquiring pieces from Issa as early as 1987, with many works later showcased in the Word Into Art exhibition in 2005, a milestone in presenting MENA contemporary art. Issa’s artist selection reflects her ‘joy of discovering a new vision’ and dedication to quality, beauty, and originality. She describes it as ‘quite magical’ when a work captures something entirely new, energising her to share it with others, particularly when it challenges stereotypes (Islamic Arts Magazine).

Through her exhibitions, Issa has consistently promoted themes of identity, memory, and social justice, often showcasing works that blend tradition with modernity. Her 2023 exhibition, The Future of Traditions at SOAS University’s Brunei Gallery exemplifies this vision, exploring the innovative use of calligraphy by artists, including Fathi Hassan, Farhad Moshiri, and Etel Adnan. She believes in the iconic power of Arabic and Persian calligraphy, noting that many artists are drawn to these scripts as a way to ‘bring beauty to the world’ (Islamic Arts Magazine). Issa is deeply committed to allowing artists from the MENA region to represent themselves authentically. Her goal has always been to enable them to showcase their unique perspectives and creative visions, free from the external agendas that others may try to impose. She emphasises the importance of Arabs and Iranians presenting their own stories and concerns directly, rather than adjusting their work to fit the narratives of outside organisers. This commitment reflects her belief that MENA art should be displayed without interference, preserving the integrity and depth of each artist's voice (Islamic Arts Magazine). A distinctive feature of Issa’s approach is her recognition of ‘loophole language’—the subtle ways artists in politically restrictive environments communicate their ideas despite censorship. She has highlighted how artists, particularly in Iran, use indirect methods to convey messages, crafting works that express complex realities without provoking the authorities. This ‘loophole language’ reflects the resilience of MENA artists, who navigate restrictions creatively to foster dialogue and connections with their audiences.

Beyond curation, Issa has contributed to the preservation of MENA cultural memory through her publications. Her catalogues, such as Signs of Our Times: From Calligraphy to Calligraffiti (2016), document the region’s artistic evolution. For Issa, the importance of these publications lies in creating an archive for future generations. 'Archives are needed. Memory is needed', she has emphasised, reflecting a dedication to ensuring that MENA artists’ work endures and is accessible to others (Hyperallergic, 2019). Her publishing ventures, Rose Issa Projects and Beyond Art Production, have played a significant role in documenting and supporting these artists’ contributions. Issa has advised major institutions such as the British Museum, Smithsonian, and National Gallery of Jordan, establishing herself as a global authority on contemporary MENA art. She describes herself as a ‘cultural nomad’, highlighting the art world’s growing interconnectedness, where artists, curators, and institutions meet across borders to share ideas (Islamic Arts Magazine). Issa was a jury member for the National Pavilions at the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003 and for the Arab British Centre in 2013. Since the closure of Rose Issa Projects’ physical gallery space in 2015, Issa has continued her work through publishing, co-curating exhibitions, and lecturing worldwide. She now sees her role increasingly in archiving and publishing, as she recognises the saturated nature of the gallery world. ‘For me, the future is archiving, recording, publishing, because I want to keep a record’, she shared (Hyperallergic, 2019).

Related books

Rose Issa, Arabicity: Contemporary Arab Art (London: Saqi Books, 2019)
Rose Issa, Ourouba: The Eye of Lebanon (Beirut: Beirut Art Fair, 2017)
Rose Issa, Signs of Our Times: From Calligraphy to Calligraffiti (London: Merrell Publishers, 2016)
Rose Issa, Nermine Hammam: Cairo, Texas, a Photographer’s Diary (London: Beyond Art Production, 2014)
Rose Issa, By Hassan Hajjaj: Photography, Fashion, Film, Design (London: Beyond Art Production, 2014)
Rose Issa, Maliheh Afnan: Familiar Faces (London: Beyond Art Production, 2013)
Rose Issa, Raeda Saadeh: Reframing Palestine (London: Beyond Art Production, 2012)
Rose Issa, Farhad Ahrarnia: Canary in a Coal Mine (London: Beyond Art Production, 2011)
Rose Issa, Ayman Baalbaki: Beirut Again and Again (London: Beyond Art Production, 2011)
Rose Issa, Selma Gürbüz: Shadow of My Self (London: Beyond Art Production, 2011)
Rose Issa, Omid Salehi: A Photographer’s Journey through Iran (London: Beyond Art Production, 2011)
Rose Issa, Arab Photography Now (Heidelberg: Kehrer Verlag, 2011)
Rose Issa, Fathi Hassan (London: Beyond Art Production, 2010)
Rose Issa, Parastou Forouhar: Art, Life and Death in Iran (London: Beyond Art Production, 2010)
Rose Issa, Maliheh Afnan: Traces, Faces, Places (London: Beyond Art Production, 2009) Rose Issa, Iranian Photography Now (Stuttgart: Hatje Cantz, 2008)
Rose Issa, Iranian Contemporary Art (London: Booth-Clibborn Editions, 2001)

Related organisations

École des Langues Orientales (student)
Kufa Gallery (co-founder)
Rose Issa Projects (founder)
Sorbonne University (student)
Venice Biennale (jury member)

Selected exhibitions

The Future of Traditions, Writing Pictures: Contemporary Art from the Middle East – Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London (2023)
What Remains – Part II – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
What Remains – Part I – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Nermine Hammam: Wétiko – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Graham Day: Selected Works from the 1990s – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Batoul S'Himi: World Under Pressure – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Farhad Ahrarnia: Stage on Fire – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Ayman Baalbaki: Recent Work – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Open Your Eyes – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Parastou Forouhar: Kiss Me – Rose Issa Projects, London (2014)
Contemporary Artists and Calligraphy – Egee Art Consultancy Studio, London (1989)
New Orientalists – Egee Art Consultancy Studio, London (1989)
Graham Day: Abri, The Mysterious Art of Paper Marbling – Kufa Gallery, London (1988)
Azzawi, Jumaie, Nasiri – Kufa Gallery, London (1988)
Arab Women Artists in the UK – Kufa Gallery, London (1988)

Ben Uri archive

Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Rose Issa]

Ben Uri Research Unit

for the study and digital recording of the Jewish, Refugee and wide Immigrant contribution to British visual culture since 1900.

Rose Issa curator