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In Pictures

Gallery|Arts and Culture

Gaza artists

Meet the artists who struggle to have their voice heard in the besieged strip.

Mohammed Abusal paints at Eltiqah gallery, while fellow artist, Suhail Salem, holds a portable light. Eltiqah gallery was founded in 2001.
By Eduardo Soteras Jalil
Published On 22 Mar 201522 Mar 2015
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Gaza City –  A ruthless siege coupled with a worsening political and humanitarian situation and an overwhelming sense of despair are all factors that many artists in Gaza say inspire them, yet at the same time, restrict their work.

Visual artists, for example, face the difficulty of transferring their art pieces outside of the besieged strip. Another challenge is having access to working material which entirely depends on the help of those who manage to travel to and from Gaza.

For musicians, finding a place to perform rehearsals is a difficult enough task. Social constraints also make performing in public almost impossible. Therefore, they create their audience online, the same way that they compose and create their songs. 

Most of the artists featured in this photo gallery are internationally acclaimed. However, with the siege in place they cannot attend their own exhibitions even when held in places like Jerusalem, less than one hundred kilometers away. 

In a society struggling to survive, artists in Gaza do not enjoy a lot of attention. They are an isolated but living community that is worth exploring.  

"Most of my work is about Gaza. I can live abroad, but it is here where I'm interested in working," says Artist Mohammed Al Hawajri at Eltiqah gallery in Gaza City.
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Another painting by artist Mohammed Al Hawajri.
Nidaa Badwan decided to live in seclusion since November 2013. Her latest collection of photographic work has been produced in her room.
Nidaa said her most recent work was inspired by Garcia Marquez's famous novel "100 years of Solitude".
Mohammed El Susi, a member of a rap group called ' Revolution Makers', performs at a studio in Gaza City.
Ousama El Susi, one of the singers of the rap group 'Revolution Makers', records a new song at a studio in Gaza City.
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Majed Kalloub (right), Muhi El Helu and Mohammed Barakat, from 'Gaza Circus Team' in a rehearsal. Circus is a relatively new activity in Gaza. They mostly learned from foreigners visiting Gaza and from internet videos.
Majed is also a 'Clown Doctor', who conducts regular visits to different children's hospitals in Gaza. "I believe that circus can bring peace and love to Gaza".
Raed Issa shows his work at a newly rented house while his children play. Raed lost his house, atelier and most of his art work during Israel's war on Gaza last summer.
Salman Nawati and his wife, Majdal Nateel with their daughters; four-month-old Nayrouz and three-year-old Amal. Salman and Majdal are both visual artists.
Salman and Majdal paint on the terrace of the their house in Gaza City.
Mohammed Lomani (left) and Khamis Abu Shaaban compose a song at a coffee shop in Gaza City. They are members of Watar Band. Together with other members, they are in the process of recording their first album. "Music is the only way we can travel, connect with the world, influence and affect people, and make them happy."
Watar Band rehearsal (from left to right: Khamis Abu Shaaban, Alas Al Najjar and Alaa Shoblaq) before embarking on a series of concerts in the West Bank.


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