Al-Mansour attends to Arab American women’s narratives and diverse lived experiences

June 3, 2025

Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is pleased to present “Mihrab: Portraits of Arab American Women,” a mixed-media installation and new body of work by Minnesota-based artist Hend Al-Mansour. The exhibition, part of the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP), will be on view in Mia’s U.S. Bank Gallery from July 19 to October 26, 2025. Admission is free.

“Mihrab: Portraits of Arab American Women” comprises four installations and a video projection, highlighting the stories of four remarkable Arab women from Minnesota, each with roots in Morocco, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine. Inspired by mihrabs—niches found in mosques that point toward Mecca, the holy city of Islam—these installations embody a deep connection to identity and faith.

Drawing on in-depth interviews with her subjects, Al-Mansour captures the rich tapestry of their lives, weaving in cherished items and memories to create immersive, room-like portraits. Domes, arches, pillars, and intricate geometric designs echo the beauty of Islamic architecture. The images and artifacts displayed illuminate the lives and contributions of Arab American women within the context of Islam and American culture.

This exhibition opens at a crucial moment. It broadens the single stories of the Arab experience that occupy the Western cultural imaginary and encourages reflection on our assumptions. Audiences are invited to engage with questions around immigration, feminism, and the diverse lived experiences of Arab American women.

“I interviewed Minnesota Arab women to gain entrance into their communities,” said Al-Mansour. “When I created this portal to someone else’s world, I learned new things about myself. Each woman took me on a journey that transported me to unknown places in my own psyche. What I uncovered through their voices is a shared tapestry of strength, belonging, and the often-unseen complexities of our lived experiences.”

“Al-Mansour’s work thoughtfully challenges traditional representations and norms by reclaiming space for the stories and experiences of Arab American women,” said Nicole Soukup, the MAEP supervisor. “Through this exhibition, she offers a rich perspective that transcends stereotypes. Her use of vibrant colors, traditional patterns, and religious elements celebrates the profound strength and spirituality of the women she interviewed, and by extension, the many Arab American women in Minnesota.”

All are welcome to join Al-Mansour in conversation at her MAEP Artist Talk on September 7, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Mia’s Pillsbury Auditorium.

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Title: “Mihrab: Portraits of Arab American Women”
• Dates: July 19–October 26, 2025
• Location: U.S. Bank Gallery, Mia
• Cost: Free

For more information on “Mihrab: Portraits of Arab American Women” and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.

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About Hend Al-Mansour

Saudi American artist Hend Al-Mansour studied and practiced medicine in Cairo, Egypt, and at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. In addition to her medical degree, Al-Mansour holds an MFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and an MA in art history from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul. She’s exhibited internationally and received numerous awards, including the Minnesota State Art Board’s Creative Support in 2022, the Artist Initiative grant in 2019, the McKnight Fellowship in 2018, the Jerome Fellowship of Printmaking in 2013/14, and the Juror’s Award of the Contemporary Islamic Art in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2012. Al-Mansour is a member of Rosalux Gallery; the Interfaith Artists group; and The Habibties, a group of multiethnic women artists that promotes cultural diversity in the United States.

About the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP)

The Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) is an artist-led program at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Founded in 1975 as a yearlong partnership between the museum and regional artists, it has become a unique, ongoing relationship lasting 50 years. Today, the MAEP presents exhibitions in the 2,500-square-foot U.S. Bank Gallery. Support for MAEP is provided by RBC Wealth Management.

About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.