On Exhibit: “Ghosts of Presence/Bodies of Absence” by Professor John Halaka

The College of Arts and Sciences welcomes all to a new exhibit by University of San Diego professor John Halaka: Ghost of Presence / Bodies of Absence from the project Forgotten Survivors. Through haunting, dreamlike imagery, Halaka’s drawings explore the experiences of Palestinian refugees and displaced individuals, informed by personal stories he recorded over many years. The works reflect on themes of exile, memory and the enduring connection between displaced indigenous populations and their native homelands. These evocative pieces invite viewers to bear witness to stories of survival and resistance, offering a space for reflection on displacement and cultural memory that spans more than seven decades.