Shahd itbakhi

Shahd M. M. Itbakhi is a Palestinian conceptual artist and conservator based in Hebron whose multidisciplinary practice explores the archaeology of memory, time, and identity. Working across video, performance, installation, and recycled materials, she investigates how historical and political stratifications shape both personal and collective consciousness. Her work examines the psychological and cultural layers embedded in place, constructing immersive experiences that challenge fixed perceptions of reality and open space for reimagining possible futures.

Itbakhi holds a BA in Contemporary Visual Arts from Dar Al-Kalima University in Bethlehem (2024), where her thesis, Temporal Layers and Memory in Palestinian Identity, focused on the intersection of time, history, and belonging. Alongside her artistic practice, she is trained in conservation and restoration, integrating archival methodologies and preservation techniques into her conceptual framework.

Her work has been presented locally and internationally, including participation in Bergen Assembly (Across, With, Nearby, 2025), exhibitions with the A. M. Qattan Foundation in Ramallah, Al Mamal Foundation in Jerusalem, Bab Eddeir Art Gallery in Bethlehem, and Bosla Arts in London.

Professionally, Itbakhi has worked as an archivist and conservator at Dar Jacir in Bethlehem and as an academic lecturer in arts and design in Hebron. Fluent in Arabic and English, she combines artistic experimentation with community engagement, research, and pedagogy, positioning her practice at the intersection of art, memory work, and cultural resilience.