Tasneem Sarkez
Innocent in peace, 2026
Oil on Linen
121h x 152w cm
47 3/4h x 59 3/4w in
47 3/4h x 59 3/4w in
TS-000004
The artwork uses image-within-image structures and draws on the visual language of shopping and gift bags commonly found in Tunisia, particularly the use of English phrases that often appear detached...
The artwork uses image-within-image structures and draws on the visual language of shopping and gift bags commonly found in Tunisia, particularly the use of English phrases that often appear detached from their original meaning and instead function as decorative patterns. It’s an attempt to reimagine the Bardo Museum as a souvenir postcard reminiscent of those from the early 2000s, engaging with deadstock and kitsch aesthetics. The phrase "Innocent in Peace" references a phrase seen at the museum, reinforcing this kitsch visual culture while simultaneously evoking grief and memorialization. Sarkez incorporates locally found images, symbols and graphic motifs, to bring historical subject matter into dialogue with contemporary everyday visual culture, thinking about history in Tunis from a very personalized and contemporary lens.