Curatorial Statement

Open Doors: A Jewish and Muslim Artistic Partnership

Art is universal: it speaks a language that transcends borders. It communicates emotions too deep for words, truths that resonate across cultures, and experiences that unite us in our shared humanity.

Open Doors: A Jewish and Muslim Artistic Partnership, hosted by Bowery Art Collective and culminating in an exhibition in December 2025, in Metuchen, NJ, harnesses this universal language as a bridge—one that connects Muslim and Jewish communities through the power of collaborative creation rather than political division.

This groundbreaking exhibition begins with a partnership between Jewish artist Hannah Finkelshteyn and a soon-to-be-selected Muslim artist, who will co-curate the show. Their collaboration is the first of six pairings between Jewish and Muslim artists, each one fostering dialogue, trust, and understanding through art. The works on display will reflect not only the artists’ talents but also their conversations, challenges, and shared discoveries.

Throughout the project, each pair of artists will engage in an ongoing dialogue, meeting regularly to reflect on identity, culture, and creative process. The exhibit will showcase a collection of artworks, including a description of the mutual inspiration and process, a testament to the journey undertaken by the artists. This artistic journey will be shared with the public at the gallery, with the hope of fostering curiosity and understanding.

The exhibit will open with an evening of tea, music, and conversation—a gesture that welcomes the wider community to join in this journey. This evening marks what we hope will be the beginning of an artistic community built on cultural connections and new friendships.

Open Doors is more than an exhibit; it’s an invitation to imagine what’s possible when we create together. It honors the moments when cultures meet and doors open!