Through his art, Mohamad Hafez confronts preconceived notions of refugees and the "baggage" they may carry. He was recently the subject of an Oscars-shortlisted documentary, an intimate portrait of how Hafez's acclaimed UNPACKEDseries was informed by his own experience leaving Syria.

This hour, we visit Hafez at his studio, just above the location of his latest venture, Pistachio Cafe. Hear about why he opened this coffee shop and "cultural salon" in the heart of New Haven’s Westville neighborhood. Plus, hear how he has adapted his artwork into workshops with Connecticut schools; and preview an upcoming partnership with the Yale Peabody Museum.

"How do you tell these stories artistically? How do you tell that my family or the Syrian family or Iraqi family is worthy of attention?"

Hafez says he is "energized to make artwork that brings people together, that teaches them ever-so-gently about that other that they fear, about that other refugee that they think is uncivilized. There's nothing better than sharing humanity, sharing stories, sharing anecdotes about our lives. Because, you know, that's the human connection amongst all of us.

GUESTS:
Mohamad Hafez:Artist; Architect; Owner, Pistachio Cafe

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired March 24.Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Through his art, Mohamad Hafez confronts preconceived notions of refugees and the "baggage" they may carry. He was recently the subject of an <a href="https://youtu.be/gyDEcXLbOZs">Oscars-shortlisted documentary</a>, an intimate portrait of how Hafez's <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2017-01-11/mohamad-hafez-reflecting-war-and-forced-migration-through-art">acclaimed </a><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2017-01-11/mohamad-hafez-reflecting-war-and-forced-migration-through-art">UNPACKED</a><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2017-01-11/mohamad-hafez-reflecting-war-and-forced-migration-through-art"> </a><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2017-01-11/mohamad-hafez-reflecting-war-and-forced-migration-through-art">series</a> was informed by his own experience leaving Syria.
This hour, we visit Hafez at his studio, just above the location of his latest venture, Pistachio Cafe. Hear about why he opened this coffee shop and "cultural salon" in the heart of New Haven’s Westville neighborhood. Plus, hear how he has adapted his artwork into <a href="http://www.mohamadhafez.com/WORKSHOPS">workshops with Connecticut schools</a>; and preview an upcoming partnership with the Yale Peabody Museum.
"How do you tell these stories artistically? How do you tell that my family or the Syrian family or Iraqi family is worthy of attention?"
Hafez says he is "energized to make artwork that brings people together, that teaches them ever-so-gently about that other that they fear, about that other refugee that they think is uncivilized. There's nothing better than sharing humanity, sharing stories, sharing anecdotes about our lives. Because, you know, that's the human connection amongst all of us.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Mohamad Hafez: <a href="http://www.mohamadhafez.com/">Artist</a>; Architect; Owner, <a href="https://pistachiocafe.com/">Pistachio Cafe</a></li>
</ul>
Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2022-03-24/mohamad-hafez-continues-his-artistic-mission-in-latest-venture-pistachio-cafe">March 24</a>.Where We Live is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-we-live/id706066099">Apple Podcasts,</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j08SgnZIU5BmjDyHbgjgP">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxL2VhY2I0ZTJmLTFiM2ItNGEyZC1hM2Y3LWE5ZmIwMDYxODYyMC8xNTgwZWM0Yi1kZTM1LTQ4ZmUtOTViNi1hOWZiMDA2MTg2MjAvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/show/where-we-live-rsspodcast-21550">Stitcher</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

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