Tenderly there shows how artists from the SWANA region (Southwest Asia and North Africa) explore, commemorate and affirm queer intimacy. The exhibition is curated by Tashattot, a Brussels-based collective that supports artists from the SWANA region who are currently displaced or living in Europe.

The exhibition displays archival photographs from the Arab Image Foundation collection alongside contemporary works by artists Jeanne et Moreau (Lara Tabet & Randa Mirza), Kader Attia and Mohamad Abdouni. The contrast between archives and the present takes you on a journey through time and shows how everyday activities and intimate moments are captured. ​

Founded in the summer of 2022, Tashattot Collective has built a growing network of artists and cultural workers in Belgium and beyond. Their efforts to create a strong community are reflected in the cultural programmes they curate, such as art exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, lectures and more.