Turning rockets into art: Artists bloom in Gaza despite blockade, war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
1 Oct 2023 18:54
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Shababik, one of the only artist collectives and gallery spaces in the whole Strip, stands as a testament to the Palestinian people's resilience.

Palestinian children walk past a mural in a house destroyed by Israeli occupation forces in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Thursday, June 8, 2023 (AP)

The art scene in Gaza proliferates against all odds as a means of hope and defiance against the backdrop of Israeli aggression on occupied Palestine.

Graffiti artists have adorned shrapnel-pocked walls with fresh and vibrant paint, depicting scenes of resilience and Palestinian pride, The Guardian reported on Sunday.

A child with wings waving a Palestinian flag among the clouds and a young girl brushing her hair behind a ruined dressing table are just a few examples of the art that has emerged from under the rubble.

Gaza's 16-year-long blockade, coupled with the trail of destruction left by wars, has severely strained the Strip's resources, leaving its 2.2 million residents struggling for basic necessities. However, art remains a lifeline for many.

Shababik, one of the only artist collectives and gallery spaces in the whole strip, stands as a testament to this resilience. Despite limitations, it offers a platform for modern art forms, inspiring the next generation of artists.

“There is a traditional art college in Gaza, but we are the only place working in plastics, digital art, modern sculpture, all sorts of modern stuff,” Shareef Serhan, a co-founder of Shababik, said. “We have limited options but our horizons are still big. The aim is to train and inspire the next generation.”

The art reflects isolation, frustration, and trauma but also the enduring spirit of the Gazan people. Sculptures crafted from recycled materials, 3D videos exploring emptiness, and vibrant depictions of coastal life all speak to the resilience of Gaza's artists.

The costs of artistic supplies and the challenges in acquiring them are reflected in the art created in Gaza: sculptures are crafted from the remnants and metal fragments of Israeli rockets.

3D modeled videos, by Palestinian artist Shireen Abdul Kareem, create a surreal experience reminiscent of first-person shooters and flashy platform games. Her work serves to explore the concept of emptiness, both in the physical and mental realms.

“I would give anything to leave Gaza and art is the way I feel free in this place, but it is still my home, and a part of me,” Shireen Abdul Kareem said.

Others are inspired by the Mediterranean coastline, weaving mermaids out of nets that belonged to Gaza’s fishermen, or the traditions of Palestinian life.

In the face of adversity, these artists persist, using their creativity to add color and hope to a place sorely lacking both. Gaza's art is not only a lifeline, but a testament to the indomitable human spirit.