Diinsi Abuur: Broadcast Signals by Faisa Omer and Siham Salah

Diinsi Abuur: Broadcast Signals is an exhibition of work by Faisa Omer and Siham Salah. First presented at Soomal House of Art in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this exhibition marks another significant milestone in an ongoing cultural exchange between Somali-Canadian and Somali-American communities that began three years ago. This exhibition is part of the Diinsi Abuur program — an initiative dedicated to fostering reciprocal exchanges of artists and artistic ideas across regions with a focus on Somali diaspora communities. The program’s inaugural exchange took place in 2023 at The Bows where Somali-Minnesotan artists introduced their work to the Somali-Albertan community. 

In its second presentation, Broadcast Signals again broadens this exchange by bringing the perspectives of Somali-Canadian artists Omer and Siham to Edmonton, Alberta where the artists resided for the majority of their lives and refer to as home. With the addition of several new works, this exhibition program continues in its efforts to connect these communities and encourage shared reflections on identity, memory, belonging and Somali diaspora. 

Faisa Omer’s Qorrax soo bax/​Sunrise series highlights the beauty and resilience of Somali women through portraiture that incorporates cultural references with traditional textiles. Her work celebrates individuality and expressions of identity while inviting dialogue on the preservation of cultural heritage within the diaspora. Siham Salah’s Between Sands and Snow captures the fluidity of identity through landscapes that blend the warmth of Somalia with the starkness of Alberta, reflecting both the passage of time and the shifting contours of home. Through their distinct approaches, both artists engage with themes of migration, belonging, and the emotional ties that connect past and present.