Benji Boyadgian

Benji Boyadgian presented The Temporary Ruin (2010–ongoing, a project which explores the documentation and mapping of Wadi al-Shami [Al Shami Valley], Palestine – a historically important agricultural land that was annexed by Israel in 1967. The land is caught between the 1948 Green Line (the border separating pre-1967 Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and constitutes an internationally recognised border) and the 2003 Israeli Wall (a separation barrier in the West Bank or along the Green Line) and is surrounded by the fragmented Jerusalem conurbation. Today, the valley is subject to becoming a settlement, encroached by real estate and occupation pressure.

Benji Boyadgian’s participation formed part of Little did they know, the Guest Programme of the 39th EVA International, curated by Merve Elveren.

Biography

Benji Boyadgian studied architecture at ENSAPLV School of Architecture, specialising in urban sociology in post-conflict areas. He lives and works in Jerusalem. Boyadgian works with various media, employing painting and drawing as his primary tools and site specific installations as a means of integrating into space and context. He attended the Young Artists Residency Program of Confrontation Through Art Project, organised by EMAA and Rooftop Theatre Group, Nicosia; and, IASPIS, Stockholm. Boyadgian’s recent exhibitions include CrossSections_perspectives, Konstfack, Stockholm (2019); Phantom Limbs, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai (2019); Shared Religious Sites, DEPO, Istanbul (2019); Intimate Terrains, Palestinian Museum, Birzeit (2019); Climbing Through the Tide, B7L9, Tunis (2019); Jerusalem Show IX, Jerusalem Actual and Possible, Al Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art, Jerusalem (2018); CrossSections_intervals, Kunsthalle Exnergasse, Vienna (2018); Sharjah Biennial 13 Off site: Shifting Ground, Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center, Ramallah (2017); Shared Religious Sites, Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki (2017); Around About, Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center, Ramallah (2017); AQUA – Contemporary Artists and Water Issues, Château de Penthes, Geneva and Sesc Belenzinho, São Paulo (2017); The Discord, Al Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art and Anadeil Gallery, Jerusalem (2017).