The International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP) is a leading nonprofit, residency-based contemporary art institution for emerging to mid-career artists and curators from around the world, including the United States. With more than 30 artists and curators in residence at all times, the program provides residents with the space, time, and support to develop new projects. With additional activities tailored for professional development and public engagement, ISCP is a platform to produce, present and contextualize contemporary art through a diverse range of international perspectives. ISCP’s public programs encourage dialogue and integrate residents into the cultural community of New York City. The residency includes 24-hour access to a private studio space, studio visits from Visiting Critics; Field Trips to museums, galleries and other cultural institutions; and participation in ISCP Talks. Residents at ISCP are also invited to take part in ISCP’s Exhibition Program and Participatory Projects.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ayman Yossri Daydban (b. 1966 Palestine) is a conceptual artist whose work centres on the intricate patterns and relationships found in his own biography and exchanges with the broader social and political environment.

During his residence at ISCP, he focused on the latest iteration of his Subtitle series, in collaboration with Hazim Tawfiq, a Harlem based artist and street vendor. The inspiration for this project was Malcom X’s speech after his return from Makkah in 1964. Ayman's residency enabled him to undertake on-site investigations of historic sites in New York City that he had previously only been able to research from afar, including at The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center in Harlem. His project was the subject of a short film directed by Husam Al Sayed for FREEWAY, the broadcast program of Edge of Arabia’s US Tour in partnership with Art Jameel.

Zeinab Shahidi Marnani (b. 1983 Isfahan, Iran) is a conceptual artist and was in residence at ISCP from April - May 2015. Zeinab has worked with the International Organization of Migration (IOM) since 2012, facilitating a program called Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO), which was set up to introduce Australian culture to Afghan refugees whose cases have been approved for immigration to Australia. During her time with the organisation, she has conducted extensive research on the life of the Afghan refugee population in Iran, a subject that neither state nor privately run organisations in the region or abroad have investigated. During the ISCP residency, Shahidi continued her investigations into cultural orientation and migration of Afghan Refugees from an external spectrum while also developing a new body of work about the nuanced meaning and history of her last name, Shahidi which means 'Martyr'.

Sara Ouhaddou (b. 1986 Draguignan, France) is an artist and designer whose practice has developed over many years through collaborations with artisans from her local community in Morocco. Sara is interested in preserving traditional craft techniques and using them as the base of her contemporary practice. During her residency from June - August 2015, she acted as a bridge or conduit for North African artisans based within the greater metropolitan area.

She was also invited to produce a special project for the CULTURUNNERS RV in its trek across the US, utilizing the technical craft-knowledge that she has accumulated, paired with her knowledge of historical patterns as well as contemporary design to augment the cabinetry and textiles of the RV itself.