muin bseiso archive — sara el-jazara

Sara El-Jazara is an art historian, researcher, and archivist whose practice explores the intersections of art, memory, and resistance in the Arab world. Her work engages with the politics of the archive, tracing fragmented histories and artistic practices as acts of preservation and collective reclamation.

A graduate of Marist College in Florence, Italy, El-Jazara’s professional experience spans research, archiving, editing, curation, gallery management, and art consultancy.

Private Collections Projects

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LEAD ARCHIVIST: MUIN BSEISO PRIVATE COLLECTION

DOCUMENTATION PROJECT

 Photographic documentation: Ahmad Salameh
 Primary Reference: Tawfiq Bseiso
 Project Support: Aya Bseiso

This project involved the critical documentation and preservation of over 20 artworks and a vast collection of personal memorabilia belonging to the late Palestinian poet and activist, Muin Bseiso. Rescued from Gaza during the 2023 onslaught, these items represent a "golden age" of international solidarity, featuring works by icons like Naji Al-Ali, Rachid Koraichi, Tamam Al-Akhal and Mona Saudi.

My work focused on bridging the gap between physical preservation and digital accessibility, conducting in-depth interviews with family and contemporary artists to contextualize Bseiso’s life and his relationships with the global avant-garde.

Through the creation of a comprehensive filing system and metadata database, I organized hundreds of manuscripts, Russian icons, and artworks. This archival foundation serves a multi-phase goal: to ensure Bseiso’s literary and visual history is accessible to the public through an upcoming database, book, and dedicated website.