This March, Ibraaz launched its public programme in partnership with Art Dubai. Dubbed Ibraaz Talks, this is a series of specially curated conversations with artists, curators and writers at Art Dubai. Each participant was invited to respond to a particular issue or keyword that they felt in some way addressed formal and conceptual issues affecting contemporary visual culture. In this interview, artist and curator, Ala Younis discusses the dual role of being an artist and curator, and considers how curatorial practice shifts and evolves against a constantly evolving social and political backdrop.

Ala Younis is an independent artist and curator based in Amman. Through art, film, and publication projects, Younis investigates the position of individuals in a politically driven world, and the conditions in which historical and political failures of the collective become personal ones. In 2011, Younis curated Maps, Timelines, Radio Programmes for La Galerie, Contemporary Art Center in Noisy-le-Sec, Paris, Out of Place with Kasia Redzisz for Tate Modern, London, and Darat al Funun, Amman, and Momentarily Learning from Mega-Events for Makan, also Amman. Her installation Tin Soldiers was produced and shown in Home Works 5', Beirut, 2010, and in the Istanbul Biennial, 2011. In 2012 she was selected by ArtReview as one of the art world's 'Future Greats 2012'. In 2013, she will curate the Pavilion for Kuwait at the Venice Biennale.

Ala Younis is also a participant in the Kamel Lazaar Foundation Projects – view her recent work, UAR, here.