Call for Papers: International Conference 'Gender and Contemporary Arab Artistic Creation – Khalaqat'
The Second خaّlaqat Conference on Gender and Contemporary Arab Artistic Creation, to be held at Sapienza Università di Roma on 9 and 10 July 2026, brings together researchers, artists, and cultural practitioners from various institutions to share ideas, theories, and research addressing Arab artistic creation from a gender perspective. Participants will explore diverse forms of artistic and creative expression, engaging with innovative and interdisciplinary methodologies designed both to analyse art and to employ it as a methodological and research tool.
The conference aims to place Arab artistic creation at the centre of contemporary debate, recognising its value within and beyond the region and contributing to the questioning of colonial and orientalist frameworks that have shaped its reception. This inquiry is particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people, where art continues to act as a space of memory, denunciation, solidarity, and resistance in the face of a long-standing cultural erasure.
Building on the discussions initiated in Barcelona in 2024, this second edition will bring together researchers at different stages of their careers to strengthen an expanding network, foster intellectual exchange, and advance the study of contemporary Arab artistic practices through gender. Particular attention will be given to voices from the region, avoiding the privileging of European or Western frameworks.
Panels will be held on 9 and 10 July. Proposals (250-word abstract and 100-word bio) should be sent to khalaqatconf@gmail.com by 15 February 2026 with the subject line “Paper submission”. Full panels may also be proposed and must include a 200-word rationale in addition to individual abstracts. Submissions may be made in Arabic, Spanish, or English, and proposals in Italian may also be considered. Acceptance will be communicated on 30 March 2026. There is no registration fee.