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Tag: queerarab

Episode 142 [in English]: Ridikkuluz

RIDIKKULUZ  (aka Samer) is a Jordanian-American artist (with Egyptian, Palestinian, and Syrian roots) visualizing identity through painting, sculpture, performance, and video. He is also part of the NYC ballroom scene, as a member of House of Xtravaganza. 

This episode was recorded from Samer’s apartment, where he showed us some of his artwork and talked about finding ballroom/vogue as part of gaining confidence in visible queerness. He mentioned how his cultural upbringing, with an emphasis on knowing one’s history and predecessors, has translated into seeking out queer community and mentors. 

We also discussed whether we believe in accidents, ghosts, horoscopes, and personality assessments. It was a good time.

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Episode 140: Reading Is Just Recognizing Shapes

Sheyam Ghieth is an Egyptian-American artist exploring themes of language, liberation, queerness and exile through illustration, hand lettering, pattern making and graphic design. Her “QUEER in Arabic” and “Nonbinary in Arabic” T-shirt designs have raised relief funds for queer and trans Muslims and Arabs since Ramadan 2020. 

Sheyam has created graphics for Netflix, Hulu, A24, HBO and FX; and has designed for shows such as Orange is the New Black, The Americans, and Ramy. Born in Cairo, she has lived all over, including Rome, Zimbabwe, Sudan, NYC and, most recently Portland. She is a former bus driver and an ex-journalist. She lives and creates with her partner, with whom she directed and produced the award-winning transgender scripted series “BROTHERS.”

Sheyem joined us to talk about finding queer community through art, navigating the entertainment industry with its often limited scope of representation, the importance of maintaining a connection to the Arabic language, and more!

 

Instagram @sheyamghieth

 

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