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Shahzaad Raja

@thecitizenraja

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855

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Art Activist | Mixed Media | Chicago

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I had the pleasure of seeing the talented Palestinian artist @ayakhalaf.official alongside the @palestinianyouthensemble live in Chicago, as part of the final show of the U.S. Benefit Concert Tour!

This performance will stay with me forever. Aya really brought the entire room together as one. There were moments where she shared Palestinian traditional culture, and it felt like a masterclass in our heritage. Unforgettable.

Photos by 🥝📸 - @theiftarclub - Event Content Creation for Any Event/Photography!

Special thanks to:
@palestinianyouthmovement
@pymchicago
@alhambrachicago
@academyofirishmusic
@diaspora.hub
@beitalturaath
@thawra.dabke
@palestinianfeministcollective
@oudcoffeecafe
@flowersbysprinkles
@yasini.jewelers
@cloud_lounge.us
@huffcoffee
@b7burgers.steaks
@tikram.restaurant
@al.manakeesh
@jazwah_coffee
@tabeebroasters
@artspiration_by_aqsa
@kholoud9550
@thecitizenraja
@calebw_art
@abid_h_shalabi11

#arab #dabke #concert #palestine #concertphotography

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Meet World Waves Artist @thecitizenraja
World Waves Art Exhibition
At @starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 29th

I am a Chicago-based mixed media artist of Pakistani heritage. As a self-taught artist, I discovered collage as a way to process the world around me and give voice to stories that are often overlooked. My work explores social and political issues through collage, while encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and question the narratives that shape our understanding of the world. Through my work, I hope to spark empathy, curiosity, and and a deeper sense of our shared responsibility to one another.

#worldwaves #chicagoart #chicagoartist #chicagoartistcommunity #chicagocommunity

Citizen Raja

Humanity
2023

Collage
12 in x 16 in

$500

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Christopher White - Solabo
$800
@thesunroom.cwhite

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Citizen Raja - Humanity
$500
@thecitizenraja

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Neko - Stars
$555
@artstudio.neko

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Scribblz - Robot Head
Sold
@theworkbyscribblz

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

“the artist babz” Aaron Becker - C.R.E.A.M. Project
Painting: $1,400, Bust: $900
@aaron.asif.becker

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Upside Down Smilie - Wash ya hanz
$200
@upsidedownsmilie

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Christine Vilutis - Starstuff
$350
@collageandantlers

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Upside Down Smilie - God is here
$250
@upsidedownsmilie

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Upside Down Smilie - I am an artist
$1,000
@upsidedownsmilie

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Christine Vilutis - We Love Immigrants
$220
@collageandantlers

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

Upside Down Smilie - ISYODAY
$160
@upsidedownsmilie

WORLD WAVES ART EXHIBTION
@starlingbyduo / @drinkmondaycoffee
Until September 28th

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On Monday, September 21st, for the March for Peace, Justice, Love & Freedom on the UN International Day of Peace, we invite artists, activists, healers, spiritual leaders, and movements of the people to come together in solidarity for justice, equality, peace, and freedom for all.

Through music, art, spirituality, & peaceful protest, let’s raise awareness, support grassroots movements, and inspire action to heal & create a beautiful & sane world.

Together, let’s unite to protect people, animals, and our sacred Earth and to demand justice, accountability and respect for international law.

Free the land. Free them all.
All power to the people✊🏽🇵🇸

🎨 by the amazing @thecitizenraja

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Looking for a scholarship opportunity to continue my studies.
If you know anyone who can help, please DM me or share this post. 🤍🙏

#gaza #palestine #scholarship #help #watermelon

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Photo dump of the week ☺️

Stop by this week for some great events, good food, and, and good company

And if you want to be in our next photo dump, just send over any photos you take throughout the week!

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Skipped back from my mailbox with my new copy of #dontsaypalestine by @assalrad_ the 🐐 of media literacy & ME history. Second image by photographer @misanharriman Third by artist @thecitizenraja (all inspirational accounts worth following IMO!) 🫶 #manufacturingconsent #headlinefixer #pubday

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come make wavessss 🏄🏻‍♀️ #chicago #dj #fundraiser

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We’re honored to be hosting our first group art exhibition at @drinkmondaycoffee / @starlingbyduo with these incredible artists who are also passionate about celebrating the diversity of Chicago. Join us on Sunday for our opening. RSVP at the link in our bio.

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Photo dump of the week, with some beautiful artwork curated by @thecitizenraja

Thanks to everyone who performed, popped up, had a meal, or just dropped in for a coffee this week 🙌🏽

Looking forward to some cool things in the next few months, keep an eye our calendar on nabalacafe.com/events for a fully up to date list of everything happening

And if you take any photos you want to have featured in our next photo dump just DM them to us!

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i keep coming back to that 2013 episode of parts unknown where tony went to jerusalem, the west bank, and gaza.

he did something most people in media were—and still are—too scared to do: he just looked at pal.estin.ians as human beings. he sat on floors, ate maqluba, walked through the checkpoints, and actually listened. he wasn’t trying to be a politician or a hero, he was just a guy with a plate of food who couldn’t stand the idea of anyone being stripped of their dignity.

he famously said that “of all the things the world has done to pa.les.tine, robbing them of their basic humanity was the most shameful.” he caught a lot of heat for that episode, but he didn’t flinch. when he accepted his award from the muslim public affairs council, he didn’t talk about himself, he talked about the responsibility of telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. he showed the world the olive groves, the hospitality, and the reality of life under occupation without the filter of a news cycle. he used food to bridge a gap that felt impossible to cross.

we don’t really have storytellers like him anymore—someone who understood that a kitchen table is the most political place on earth. rest in peace to the man who reminded us that seeing each other is the bare minimum we owe one another.

artist cover photo credit: @thecitizenraja

🇵🇸 🕊️ 🍲 🕯️ 🌍
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#anthonybourdain #bourdain #chef #gaza #westbank

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🇨🇺 Thank you to everyone who turned out to the third annual Artists Against the Blockade benefit show for @hatueyproject ! Together we raised $2,615.20 for medical relief efforts in Cuba and celebrated the heroic Cuban Revolution.

These funds will go directly towards saving the lives of Cuban children and alleviating the impacts of the genocidal blockade imposed by the U.S. government against the Cuban people. Stay tuned for more Cuba solidarity events and actions!

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