LIMBO is a creative research collaboration between Framer Framed, Refugee Academy, and queer refugee community organizers and artists.
In collaboration, we aim to co-create meaningful knowledge on the challenges and resilience of queer refugees and the role of engaged scholarship. The LIMBO organizer team consists of: Fabian Holle (PhD researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - artist) - Noa Bawits (MSc Sociology and Education at Framer Framed) - Alaa Ammar (space holder, queer/refugee community organizer & artist) - Sajad Salmanpour (MSc Sociology and Research Assistant at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam).
We are researching how engaged scholarship can be mutually beneficial in terms of knowledge and resources for those involved (the queer refugee community, the art institution, academia, community organizers and artists). During the workshops, Alaa Ammar is present to provide social support, connecting mental health, social health and art practices. Collectively we work to make the space a safer environment. On March 27 2022, an exhibition was opened for the public, and stayed on display until May 8, 2022.
Outside the workshops, Fabian may ask participants to engage in conversations about creativity, queerness, refugees, experiences within this project or similar engagements with Dutch institutions, and life in the Netherlands. These interviews will inform Fabian’s PhD research on the role of engaged scholarship in the lives of queer refugees in the Netherlands. We aim to take the co-creative aspect of this project seriously, so we are hoping that participants will share their ideas, visions and concerns with us at any time, also outside of the interview!
If you are queer and have a refugee background, you can participate in any workshop for free. Almost every Sunday at Framer Framed. Please contact Fabian Holle on Facebook, Instagram or via e-mail (
Framer Framed
Oranje-Vrijstaatkade 71
1093 KS Amsterdam
Workshops & Events
Creative workshops are/were given by: Alaa Ammar, Maha Youssef, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz, Lamin Barrow, Parisa Akbarzadehpoladi, Jerrold Saija, Mala Badi, Sarah Naqvi, Razan Hassan, Love Masisi, Ariya and others.
2022
THE ART OF RESTRAINT - rope play & consent, with Maha Youssef
Sunday, 30th of January 2022 - 13:00h - 16:30h
STORY CREATION, with Rochita Loenen-Ruiz
Sunday, 6th of February 2022 - 13:00h - 16:00h
Sunday, 13th of February 2022 - 13:00h - 16:00h
POETRY, with Lamin Barrow
Sunday, 20th of February 2022 - 13:00h (together with Parisa Akbarzadehpoladi)
BIOGRAPHICAL DRAWING, with Parisa Akbarzadehpoladi
Sunday, 20th of February 2022 - 13:00h (after Lamin Barrow)
Sunday, 27th of February 2022 - 13:00h
FIMO CLAY - ancestral communication technology, with Jerrold Saija
Sunday, 6th of March 2022 - 13:00h (together with Mala Badi)
CLOWNING, with Mala Badi
Sunday, 6th of March 2022 - 13:00h (together with Jerrold Saija)
DEFIANCE DOLLS, with Sarah Naqvi
Sunday, 13th of March 2022 - 13:00h
EXHIBITION-MAKING, with all collectively
Sunday, 20th of March 2022 - 13:00h
OPENING EVENT, Organised by Mama Kil representing Sehaq Queer Refugees Group
Sunday, 27th of March 2022 - 14:00h - 17:00h
FINISSAGE, with all collectively
Sunday, 8th of May 2022 - 14:00h - 17:00h
SAFER SPACE RITUAL MAKING, with Sarah Tazit and Fabian Holle
Sunday, 15th of May 2022 - 14:00h - 17:00h
COLLAGE, with Alaa Ammar and Fabian Holle
Sunday, 29th of May 2022 - 14:00h - 17:00h
PHOTOVOICE, with Alaa Ammar and Fabian Holle
Sunday, 5th of June 2022 - 14:00h - 17:00h
FOOD AND STORIES, with Alaa Ammar
Sunday, 12th of June 2022 - 14:00h - 17:00h
POETRY, with Lamin Barrow
Sunday, 26th of June 2022 - 13:00h
VU VIEWS, presentation of art works and research
Monday, 27th of June 2022 - 16:00h - 18:00h
QUEER POETRY NIGHT, with Unwanted Words
Saturday, 6th of August 2022 - 17:00h - 19:00h
PHOTOVOICE, with Alaa Ammar
Sunday, 11th of September 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
SOUNDSCAPES, with Razan Hassan
Sunday, 18th & 25th of September 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
CONNECTING JOURNEYS, stitching timelines together with Fabian Holle
Sunday, 2nd & 9th of October 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
TALANOA FORUM, with Yuki Kihara
Sunday, 16th of October 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
ASH RESHTE food & stories, with Sahar Jamshidi & Hossein Razbari
Sunday, 23rd of October 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
COLLECTIVE BRAINSTORM, with Noa Bawits
Sunday, 30th of October 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
EXHIBITION TOUR & PAINTING, with Noa Bawits
Sunday, 6th of November 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
CONNECTING JOURNEYS, stitching timelines together with Fabian Holle
Sunday, 13th of November 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
MAKE UP FOR THE EYES OF THE SOUL, with Love Masisi
Sunday, 27th of November 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
SYMBOLS & FEELINGS, a visual journey inwards, with Ariya
Sunday, 11th of December 2022 - 13:00h - 17:00h
END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION, organised by the LIMBO team
Sunday, 18th of December 2022- 17:00h - 20:00h
2023
SYMBOLS & FEELINGS, a visual journey inwards, with Ariya
Sunday, 15th of January 2023 - 13:00h -17:00h
OPENING PARTY FOR THE NEW YEAR - location will be announced.
Sunday, 22nd of January 2023 - time will be announced
RECYCOLOGY - material and clothes with Nojan & Fardad
Sunday, 19th of February 2023 - 13:00h -17:00h