Mounira Al Solh: A land as big as her skin

Lebanese artist Mounira Al Solh invites you into a vivid world where ancient mythology collides with contemporary experience.

Born in Beirut, now living and working between the Netherlands and Lebanon, her work poignantly and playfully navigates complex themes including identity, migration, trauma, inequality and gender, through her deep love of craftsmanship and materials.

Arnolfini presents Al Solh’s critically acclaimed Venice Biennale pavilion installation, A Dance With Her Myth, comprising a life-size boat skeleton, film, paintings, drawings and masks, exploring the story of Phoenician Princess Europa. This subversive installation is shown alongside new works Elissa’s Room and Europa’s Bedroom, exploring the fortunes of Princess Elissa and Europa through a modern lens and building upon the artist’s growing interest in folklore and mythology.

A collector of stories, Al Solh’s work moves between small, personal memories and collective, political moments, imbuing each with her recognisable joy and humour — a light-heartedness she sees as a right and form of resistance.

“rhythmical, whirling and melodious. It makes you want to dance and to cry, just like the most beautiful love songs” — Roxy Jongewaard, Curator Bonnefanten, Maastricht

Partners

A land as big as her skin is organised in collaboration with Bonnefanten (Maastricht, The Netherlands), in association with Sharjah Art Foundation, and made possible by Mondriaan Fund and Ammodo Art. 

Mounira Al Solh is represented by Sfeir-Semler Gallery

Image credits: Mounira Al Solh: A land as big as her skin at Arnolfini, 2026. Photography by Remco Merbis. Courtesy of Arnolfini, Bristol

Download the exhibition press release

Visitor Notice

This exhibition includes references to conflict, war, rape, loss, mourning and nudity.

If you are visiting the exhibition and have been affected by these issues or themes, we have signposted related organisations for support in our Reading Room on the second floor.

The Arnolfini Reading Room is also often a quiet space, offering comfortable seating and a place to reflect on our exhibitions

Explore the Exhibition: Resources

Discover activities and downloadable resources to help you explore A land as big as her skin in different ways — whether during your visit or at home.

A guide to the exhibition with prompts and reflections to help you engage more deeply with the artworks.

An accessible guide explaining key themes in the exhibition — including mythology, displacement and lived experience — in clear, simple language.

A bespoke resource created for the exhibition, offering more insight into the myths, histories, songs and cultural references within Mounira Al Solh’s work.

A learning resource for teachers and students, with background information, discussion prompts and creative activities linked to the exhibition.

A fun gallery trail for younger visitors, encouraging children and families to spot details and objects in the artworks.

An activity inspired by Al Solh’s reinterpretation of myths, inviting you to create your own version of a story.

A flexible activity using prompt cards focused on seeing, hearing and feeling to explore artworks and spaces in the gallery.

Translations of selected exhibition texts are available in additional languages.

Listen to audio recordings exploring key works in A land as big as her skin. These recordings offer additional context and reflections to accompany your visit.

Mounira Al Solh

Mounira Al Solh (b. 1978, Lebanon; lives and works between Beirut and Amsterdam) is a visual artist whose practice spans installation, painting, sculpture, video, drawing, text, embroidery, and performative gestures….

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