Feb 27 β€’ 04:05 UTC πŸ‡±πŸ‡» Latvia LSM

Art in the Gaza Strip Helps Survive the Horrors of War

In the Gaza Strip, artists are using their creativity to cope with the trauma of war, creating artworks that reflect their experiences of violence and despair.

In the heart of Gaza City, Mara Haleda has transformed her tent living space into an exhibition showcasing dozens of paintings created over the past two years. For Haleda, drawing was a childhood hobby, but during the ongoing conflict, it has become a crucial outlet for grappling with fear and stress. Most of her artwork is monochromatic, filled with negative energy, and documents the daily breakdown of life amidst hunger, murders, and persecution. Instead of using colors, she has even resorted to using soot from kitchen pots as a medium for her art.

In another refugee camp, Ahmad Mahna utilizes cardboard from World Food Programme aid boxes to create his art, which also reflects the harsh realities faced by people in Gaza. One of his pieces depicts a mother trying to protect her children, an image that resonates deeply in a region where safety and security are continually compromised. Alongside him, other artists are turning the ruins of destroyed homes into canvases for mural paintings, documenting their stories and struggles in the face of relentless hardship.

Maisa Salama, who operates in a studio that has also been ravaged by destruction, is showcasing older pieces alongside current works. Salama's statement, "my work and artistic journey buried under the rubble," encapsulates the plight of artists in Gaza who continue to create despite the immense loss they have endured. The artistic endeavors in Gaza not only serve as a means for individuals to express their trauma but also as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst despair and destruction.

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