August 15, 2024 – August 15, 2026
Lower Level Gallery

Waiting for Peace by Rajie Cook

Rajie Cook (1930-2021) was a Palestinian American graphic designer and artist. While his international claim to fame is for creating the pictographs or way-finding symbols seen in public buildings and airports, Cook’s lifetime body of work is much wider.

The artworks included in this exhibition are from the last two decades of his life. The sculptural collage boxes were inspired by Joseph Cornell’s work with assemblage. Focusing primarily on the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, Cook brought awareness to this issue through his art. The works with no political message highlight his creativity and humor.

“I remember my dad — he died at the age of 94 — old and blind and sitting by the radio saying he was waiting to hear something good on the radio about peace in the Middle East. I’m 74, and I don’t know if I’ll ever hear it either. I don’t want to die at 94 still waiting for peace.”

Rajie Cook died a few months shy of 91, still waiting for peace.

This exhibition was made possible with generous support from Dr. and Mrs. Abd and Fadwa Alghanem.