Dear Al-Mutanabbi Street 2012
Patricia Sarrafian Ward, USA
| Dear Al-Mutanabbi Street,
Patricia Sarrafian Ward, Maynard, MA, USA I grew up in Beirut, Lebanon during the civil war, and when I was invited to participate in this project, my own memories rose up, illuminating the connection across time and space between myself and this event. I found myself looking backwards, re-experiencing the anguish of that time, and this became my response to the survivors of Al-Mutanabbi Street - through confronting my own pain, I was compelled to face theirs in a visceral, real way. Every collage in my book was made with al-Mutanabbi Street in mind, in silent empathy and condolence. Patricia Sarrafian Ward was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon during the civil war. Her novel The Bullet Collection (Graywolf Press, 2003) received the GLCA New Writers Award, the Anahid Literary Award and the Hala Maksoud Award for Outstanding Emerging Writers. In recent years, Ward has been exploring the field of book arts. Most recently, her installation “Re/Vision” was on exhibit at The Center for Book Arts in NY, NY (January-March 2012). Her miniature books exploring themes of wartime experience, mental depression, and the creative process have appeared in several shows in the Boston area. www.patriciasarrafianward.com |