From under the ruins of Gaza, young talent sprouts to surprise the world with its beauty. Another young Palestinian artist, yet again, inspires the world with the Palestinian determination to spread his/her message. A recent example of such determination is 22-year old Palestinian artist Walaa Abu Al- Eish from Rafah, Gaza who started using spices and fruit instead of the unavailable conventional paint to carry out her passion for art.
Ever since Hammas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, Israel has been besieging Gaza. Since then, extensive restrictions have been forced on the movement of people and products imported to and exported from Gaza, leading to the scarcity of many products including art supplies. This has compelled many artists within Gaza to turn to unconventional alternatives of paint.
Abu Al- Eish found that the best and most cost-effective alternative for paint is available at the heart of her home, the kitchen. So to be able to carry out her art and be able to express herself, she decided to use spices and fruits- cinnamon, cumin and Pomegranate to name a few. Whenever she needs a color that can’t be found in her cupboard or fridge, she simply mixes together the spices and fruits she has in reach, until she comes up with the color she desires.
Among Abu Al- Eish’s artistic works are drawings of Palestinian figures, including Yasser Arafat, Ahmad Yaseen and Mahmoud Darwish. She explains that her main goal is to “promote the Palestinian cause to the World” and that she “won’t allow the shortage in art supplies to stop her.”
The disruption of traditional paint shortage in Gaza didn’t stop Walaa Abu Al-Eish from artistically expressing herself and the Palestinian situation. Instead, it has motivated her to creatively use her own paint from things that she would normally eat or use to spice up a dish.
Using spices and fruit, this Palestinian artist proves that self-expression can’t be stopped even in the midst of occupation.
As always, don’t forget to smile 🙂 !
