Shaza Omran ~ The Politics of Visual Culture in Contemporary Syria

This thesis examines the complex relationship between visual culture and politics in contemporary Syria, focusing on the period between the presidencies of Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad, with particular emphasis on the Arab Spring of 2011 as a crucial moment for Syrian society. Through an analysis of historical events, artistic movements, and individual experience, the research interrogates the prolonged absence of dialogue between art and politics, a gap rooted in decades of censorship and fear. It investigates the role of visual culture in challenging authority, shaping collective narratives, and sustaining resilience. It highlights how various forms of visual representation, including paintings, drawings, films, and graffiti, have served as powerful tools for political discourse and resistance against the oppressive regime. It draws on personal experiences as a visual artist and examines the regime’s use of visual propaganda, therefore emphasizing the significance of visual culture in shaping both bottom-up and top-down political discourse along with social movements in Syria.