The series of illustrations Olives, Poppies, Watermelons, and Oranges are an interpretation of the images that have flooded our digital screens over the past eight months. A depiction of the discrimination, alienation, oppression, and the psychological and physical violence that Palestinians have endured for decades.

Like Izhar Ashdot wrote in one of his songs, A Matter of Habit, where he critisizes the I$r@eli army: “…They’re but objects and shadows, not women and men. Learning to kill is a natural thing...”, the motives in the illustrations are also derived from witnessing men, women and kids being treated as less than animals. The alienation and discrimination that arises from objectifying human beings. What are you in the eyes of those who inflict such treatment? An object? A shadow? A creature?

With uttermost respect for the P@le$tini@n people, noticing their enduring courage, faith, and hope, one cannot help but reflect that beneath the rubble and decaying bodies, life will someday blossom.

For each piece I have selected poems written by P@le$tini@n$ that, in some way, interact with the motifs and give the works a direct connection to the individual.

Olives, 2024

Credit:

© 1984 Mahmoud Darwish, The Earth is Closing in on Us

© 1985 Fadwa Tuqan, Enough for Me

© 2018 Mosab Abu Toha, We Deserve a Better Death

© 2023 Refaat Alareer, If I Must Die

(No copyright infringement is intended. I do not own nor claim to own the rights to any of the poems shared. Excerpt are used here for educational and transformative purposes.)