What is ‘Arab Britain’? Did it begin with the Syrian, Lebanese and Moroccan craftsmen that built communities in Manchester as early as the 15th Century, or the silverware merchants that invited them? Is its shape defined by the arbitrary borders drawn by the British Crown over our territories, and the routes that our ancestors took to cross them to arrive in these lands? Is it found in our family photo albums, on our vhs tapes, or in the meals we share together? If this is Arab Britain, what is it not?

As We Are, Might Have Been, and Could Be is a visual arts programme which aims to open up the possibilities of Arab Britain beyond the factual or historical, with room for play, interpretation and critique through artist commissions and community projects.

As We Are, Might Have Been, and Could Be is curated by Jessica El-Mal and supported by the Freelands Foundation.

Separated By Millennia

Sarah al-Sarraj

An exhibition of newly commissioned artwork by Leicester artist Sarah al-Sarraj inspired by navigation and time reckoning methods native to the Arabian peninsula.

The Handloom Weaver's Debate

Ali Al-Jamri

Working in film for the first time, Ali’s new commission titled The Handloom Weaver’s Debate will be an installation of poetry, film and textiles exploring shared revolutionary histories in exhibition at Blackburn Museum February 2025.