أرسم لأحاول البقاء إنساناً مستيقظاً وحساساً حتي لاتزيل الحرب انسانيتي – باسل المقوسي

I draw to stay in touch with my conscious and to stay sane, so that the war does not strip away my humanity.” – Basel Elmaqosui (Roughly translated)

The compelling artworks created by Gazan artist Basel Elmaqosui amid the war resonate profoundly with emotions of fear, claustrophobia, chaos, and resilience. Numerous pieces shared on his Instagram account since the beginning of the war, can be viewed as self-portraits, offering a glimpse into his emotional journey and providing a means to navigate the challenges of these trying times through the powerful language of art.

Hazem Harb, another artist originating from Gaza, once expressed, “I don’t want to say that art healed me; it also helped save me a little during this time from my personal pain.” This sentiment resonates deeply within the community of artists displaced from their homes, their studios demolished, and their galleries reduced to rubble. As they navigate each day in the tents they were forced to, these artists create makeshift ‘safe’ spaces for their families and themselves, clinging to art as a lifeline in the midst of adversity. In Basel’s words, “I draw to stay in touch with my conscious and to stay sane, so that the war does not strip away my humanity.” Despite the ruthless loss of everything around them, they clutch onto anything that helps preserve their sense of humanity.

I had interacted with Basel a few year ago, and his artworks were incredibly vibrant, radiating joy. Basel’s captivating pieces depicted cityscapes and landscapes of Palestine with lively strokes using brushes and palette knives. However, as the war unfolded, the vibrant colors began to fade, and Basel turned to charcoal, creating poignant sketches on notebooks and papers he manages to find.

I encourage you to follow the artist on his Instagram page @basel_elmaqosui and share his artwork