Art of resistance: Diverse palette of works keeps Palestinian nationalism alive

AMMAN — Unleashing their full artistic potential, Arab artists unite in support of Palestine amid escalating Israel-Hamas conflict.

Jordanian-Palestinian virtual artist Beesan Arafat utilising her art as a resistance tool, published her latest artwork titled “The Bulldozer”, celebrating the sense of freedom unleashed once the bulldozer destroyed a section of the Israel-Gaza border fence.

Arafat wrote on her Instagram account: “A Palestinian bulldozer demolished a barbed wire fence and walls in Gaza.”

Speaking with The Jordan Times, Jordanian mural artist Jameela Yaseen, said: “In the recent period, artists produced different forms of art such as posters, paintings and other visual media to communicate a diverse set of stories related to the Palestinian resistance to the Israeli regime.” 

“All Arab artists have at least created an artwork related to the Palestinian once throughout their career…because this way they keep the Palestinian nationalism alive,” Yaseen said.

“Art is a totally different language through which we can reveal the horror and atrocities of Israeli occupation,” Yaseen added.

Palestinian artist Zaid Ayasa, has published four digital artworks since the start of the current Israeli-Hamas conflict, in support of Palestinians.

In one of his artworks, Ayasa highlighted Palestinian struggles against Israeli aggression, with a figure of a praying woman that is standing amidst ruin and destruction. 

Describing his artistic interventions, Ayasa said in a statement made available to The Jordan Times that “my artworks depict national symbols that immediately reflect the Palestinian culture and identity”.

The Dome of the Rock (Qubba Al Saakhra) and the Palestinian flag unite the works of the majority of artists talking about Palestine, Ayasa added.