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Meet: Jumana Ghouth

A low pyramid sculpture in the middle of room. The windows around the outside are all shuttered.
  • Written byEleanor Harvey
  • Published date 27 January 2025
A low pyramid sculpture in the middle of room. The windows around the outside are all shuttered.
Carlos Cruz Diez, Matters Through Matter exhibition with Graham Harman

Jumana Ghouth is making waves in the curatorial world, particularly in Saudi Arabia where she’s based. Her work includes recently collaborating with philosophy Professor Graham Harman, who’s Object-Oriented Ontology theory Jumana first learnt about whilst studying at Central Saint Martins from her coursemate, Anh.

In 2024, she was part of the first graduating group from MA Intercultural Practices at Central Saint Martins, a new course focused on practice based inquiry between perspectives, places, and disciplines.

Jumana spoke to us about her incredible career, what she enjoys most about curating and what she valued the most from her time at CSM.

Jumana sitting on the floor with her legs crossed and her knee raised
Jumana Ghouth

You’ve recently completed your MA in Intercultural Practices at Central Saint Martins. What did you enjoy most about the course?

The long term connections I made with both my mentor and my peers, the continious support I received, and the stimulating diversity within the course that was quite inspiring.

Space with bare brick walls, and light from above. On the walls are photos and negatives.
Drumroll, Please, Ahmed Mater Solo Exhibition, King Abdullah Economic City, 2018

What was the most valuable aspect of the course for you?

The people I’ve met.

Scaffolding with screens and photos displayed at differing heights
Drumroll, Please, Ahmed Mater Solo Exhibition, King Abdullah Economic City, 2018

What drew you to curation in the first place?

I don’t think I was ‘drawn’ to it per say, I feel it sort of chose me. When I graduated from university, I interned in a gallery where I was meant to stay for a month, that internship turned into a permanent position and it was home for 8 years.  That’s where I was introduced to the art world and curation, and I organically fell in love with it.

Photo of an outside building covered entirely in pink, layered material.
Work by Andres Reisinger, Matters Through Matter exhibition with Graham Harman

What do you enjoy most about curating?

Funnily enough, the obstacles that often come with it; how far I can cross the boundaries that have been set out by the stakeholder and how much of it I can get away with. The other thing I greatly enjoy is watching the artist step outside their comfort zone.

A man standing in a dark room, looking down at a lit-up square sculpture.
Work by Carlos Cruz Diez, Matters Through Matter exhibition with Graham Harman

You’ve collaborated with some amazing people, most recently with philosophy Professor Graham Harman. Can you tell us more about this? 

I actually learnt about Professor Graham, and his Object-Oriented Ontology theory during the course by one of my peers Anh, and I was drawn to the theory and its potentials. I reached out to Professor Graham and he quickly responded with enthusiasm, and we started working on the show. The show was titled Matters Through Matter showcasing 35 artists including Christo, Theaster Gates, Daniel Buren, Alicja Kwade and Lee Ufan.

A door is open and behind is a an installation of small round sculptures on the wall
Rana Begum, Matters Through Matter exhibition with Graham Harman

Where do you begin when you’re curating a new exhibition? What influences you in your work?

I actually have a ‘wish list’ of concepts for my curatorial practice, and it’s a note I keep on my phone whenever I’m inspired by something from my day to day. It could be a discussion I’ve had, a question I was asked, a book I’ve read or a movie I’ve seen. I jot down these ideas in a note, and when I get a project I refer back to these notes to see what can be realised, and I try to fullfill as much of that list as I can.

Bright, tiled room with glass tables displaying artworks.
The Simorgh Always Rises, Sara Alabdali Solo Exhibition, Beit al Sharbatly 2019 (Al Balad)

Can you tell us what you’re currently working on?

I just closed a show on the relationship between the Kingdom and Iraq; an initiative by the ministry of culture, and I’m currently working on the visual arts sector of the Saudi Pavilion in the upcoming Expo in Japan, which opens in April 2025.

Connect with Jumana

Find out more about studying at  Central Saint Martins

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