Join Zoe Milner for a BSL Exhibition Tour of Cemetery of Martyrs - the first solo exhibition in a major cultural institution in the UK by artist Dala Nasser (b.1990, Lebanon). The exhibition features a large-scale sculptural and sonic installation that invites audiences into a collective space of mourning and remembrance.

By using the process of frottage (the technique of taking a rubbing from an uneven surface), Nasser transforms the gallery space into a symbolic graveyard, creating a collection of charcoal rubbings collected from the graves of seminal artists, writers, poets, filmmakers, historians and journalists from across Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and England. Representing cultural figures from the mid nineteenth century (specifically the Nahda, Arab Renaissance) to the present day, the work honours those who fought for independence and freedom in times of political dominance and occupation and whose art, writing, and intellectual contributions have shaped the notion of true sovereignty in Western Asia.

Zoe Milner was born and raised in Nottingham, profoundly Deaf, to a hearing family. All their childhood life, they were always experimenting with provocative and inspirational typography, inspired by the Deaf-related ‘BSL ACT NOW’ campaign which was held to educate audiences with a wake-call about the realities of the Deaf community, highlighting equitable justice and much-needed attention. Zoe is a practicing artist and uses colour to highlight the build-up of tension and power as feelings of prejudice, frustration and communication difficulty throughout their journey as a Deaf identity.

Zoe attended Deaf school for eleven years. They graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University. Since their graduation in 2023, they have collaborated with City Arts Nottingham, Derby QUAD, as well as Cockpit Studio and Outside-In, based in London. In addition, they have been working for Flare Arts as Curatorial Fellow for almost two years.

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Access

Find information about getting here and our building access and facilities here.

This event will be held in the Galleries. Meet at Reception.

This walkthrough will be presented in BSL with no voiceover accompaniment.

This event is wheelchair accessible.

If you have any questions around access or have specific access requirements we can accommodate, please get in touch with us by emailing info@nottinghamcontemporary.org or phoning 0115 948 9750.