In times of genocide, when entire communities are silenced and erased, the act of creating becomes essential. It is a way of resisting annihilation, preserving memory, and asserting presence. Amid the devastation, these five artists continue to make work—intimate, urgent, and often dangerous—challenging the forces that seek to erase them. Their art is not a distraction from reality, but a direct confrontation with it: a testament to survival, beauty, and the unbreakable human spirit.
This post highlights five artists who are creating under the genocide.
Sohail Salem (b. 1974, Gaza) is a Palestinian visual artist, graphic designer, and co-founder of the Eltiqa Group for Contemporary Art. He earned his BA in Fine Arts from Al-Aqsa University in 1999 and has since been a vital figure in Gaza’s art scene, participating in numerous local and international exhibitions and residencies in Jordan, Switzerland, and France.
Salem’s work often explores themes of memory, displacement, and resilience. His recent pieces, created under the constraints of war, utilize materials like UNRWA school notebooks and natural dyes made from tea and hibiscus. These works have been exhibited internationally, including in the “Under Fire” exhibition at Darat al Funun in Amman.
Despite facing personal hardships, including displacement and detention, Salem continues to create art that documents the lived experiences of Palestinians in Gaza. His drawings serve as both personal catharsis and a testament to the enduring spirit of his community.
Basel El Maqosui (b. 1971, Gaza) is a Palestinian visual artist, photographer, and co-founder of Shababeek for Contemporary Art. A key figure in Gaza’s art scene, he began his journey in 1995 and later trained at Darat al Funun’s Summer Academy under Marwan Kassab-Bachi. His work, often in charcoal and ink, powerfully reflects themes of loss, displacement, and resilience.
El Maqosui has led over 100 workshops for displaced children and families, using art as a tool for healing and expression. Despite the destruction of his home and art center, he continues to create, offering a moving testament to the persistence of creativity in the face of genocide.
Mohammed Al Haj (b. 1982, Libya) is a Palestinian visual artist and educator whose work explores themes of displacement, identity, and resilience. Born to a refugee family from the village of Kawkaba, he returned to Gaza in 1995 and earned a BA in Fine Arts Education from Al-Aqsa University in 2004. Al Haj has participated in numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally, including the Venice Biennale and the “From Palestine with Art” exhibition in London.
Despite the destruction of his studio and the loss of many artworks due to ongoing genocide, Al Haj continues to create, using his art as a means of documenting the lived experiences of Palestinians and asserting cultural identity.
Samaa Abu Allaban (b. 2000, Gaza) is a Palestinian visual artist and graphic designer whose work delves into themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, she employs various mediums—including digital illustration, animation, and collage—to narrate personal and collective stories rooted in the Palestinian experience.
In response to the ongoing challenges in Gaza, Samaa created “The Genocide Kitchen,” a poignant project that uses collage to depict the act of cooking during times of siege and scarcity. Utilizing materials like cardboard and plastic, she captures the resilience and ingenuity of Palestinians facing hunger and displacement.
Despite the hardships, Samaa continues to create, using her art as a means of resistance and a testament to the enduring spirit of her community. Her work not only documents the lived realities of life in Gaza but also serves as a powerful reminder of the role of art in preserving culture and identity amidst adversity.
