In the West, the Arab world has become synonymous with confrontation with violence with terrorist attacks, the war in Iraq and the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians dominating the front pages of our papers daily.

But how representative is that image for such a diverse region? What is hidden behind the headlines and the breaking news? To answer these questions, Nazar includes both insiders' and visitors' perceptions of a troubled region with images from ten photographers from eight countries.

In a series of self-portraits, Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine/Kuwait) takes on the stereotype of the Palestinian terrorist, while Diana Matar (USA) explores the polarised meanings associated with wearing the Islamic headscarf.

Rawi Hage (Lebanon/Canada) presents a pointed critique of post-colonial pretensions to social equity in a series of portraits of wealthy Lebanese families posing with their domestic staff.  Social division of a different kind is the focus of Gaston Zvi Ickowicz's (Argentina/Israel) work on the 'peace lines' in the occupied territories.

The work of Farida Hamak (Algeria/France), Randa Shaath (Egypt/USA) and Lars Tunbjork (Sweden) focuses on hidden aspects of daily life. Benjamin Lowy's (USA) unflinching images of US soldiers in Iraq provide a powerful insight into the clash of cultures underlying the war.

An exhibition that challenges our image of the Arab world, Nazar shows at the Gallery of Photography from the 6^th of December to the 29^th of January.

The exhibition is accompanied by a lavishly illustrated, full-colour book available in the Gallery Bookshop at €32.80 and Benjamin Lowy's work will be projected on to the big screen at Meeting House Square every Wednesday night in December.

Admission is Free.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm

Gallery of Photography
Meeting House Square
Temple Bar
Dublin 2.
Tel: +353 (0) 1 671 4654
Web: Gallery of Photography