How a Can of Date Syrup Inspired this Iraqi-American Nasher Prize-Winning Artist

posted on: Feb 17, 2020

Over 500 people showed up on Saturday for a unique and wonderful outdoor barbecue near Dallas Farmers Market. Organized by the Nasher Sculpture Center, this community event included 2020 Nasher Prize Laureate artist Michael Rakowitz. A truly extraordinary free event that brought communities together, it was hosted by Farmers Assisting Returning Military (F.A.R.M.), a nonprofit that provides therapeutic agricultural training to veterans. And most of the food was provided by Break Bread, Break Borders, a community organization empowering immigrants and refugees through food catering.

An Iraqi-American conceptual artist, Rakowitz has a new exhibit opening at the Nasher next month. But his art also comprises other facets, including community events focused on transmitting Iraqi culture through food and cooking. At Rakowitz’s suggestion, the Nasher quickly put this event together in about a month. The artist showed up in Dallas the day before to prep with members of Break Bread Break Borders, including Syrian refugees Nawarah Shaker and Rasha Sultan.

“Both times I’ve been to Dallas I’ve come through Iraq,” Rakowitz says to a captive audience standing in line for Middle Eastern cuisine including chicken drumsticks, fattoush salad, hummus, grilled kebab, spinach fatayer, and veggie kibbeh. “To be able to project that kind of lens on a city that seems to be American above all American cities is quite something.”