Face of art in place of war: Ramallah Art Fair flashes Palestinian resilience

35 artists are taking part in the 4th edition of Ramallah Art Fair, Palestine (RAF, Dec. 7 — Jan. 18, 2025). Titled ‘Voices of Resilience’ it is taking place at Zawyeh Gallery in Ramallah and sees over 100 artworks being displayed. Zawyeh also has a space in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. The current exhibition follows the tremendous success of the previous editions; the artists reflect the spirit of Palestinian resilience in the face of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The show offers a broad platform to explore key themes such as displacement, identity, and the deep-rooted connection to the land, at a time when Palestinians navigate the pain of the present and the uncertainties of the future.

The exhibition is a living testimony to the Palestinian struggle for land and dignity and a vivid expression of the resilience embedded in Palestinians’ daily lives. “RAF aims to empower young talents alongside established artists by providing a robust platform to showcase their creativity,” says Ziad Anani, founder of Zawyeh Gallery. “RAF also encourages collectors to acquire valuable artworks at affordable prices, thus supporting and sustaining Palestinian art, especially in these critical times. Additionally, the exhibition this year dedicates space to showcase the works of six artists from Gaza, who lost their studios and artworks over the past year. Through this, RAF contributes to reviving their artistic voices amidst the ruins.”

This year’s iteration of the fair features three distinct sections: Photography, showing works by Ahmad Salameh, Rehaf Batniji, and Yaqeen Yamani; Contemporary art, which is a diverse collection of works by Alaa Albaba, Alaziz Atef, Ayman Essa, Bashar Alhroub, Bashar Khalaf, Bashir Qonqar, Hosni Radwan, Jasem Shuman, Karim Abu Shakra, Khaled Hourani, Mahdi Baraghithi, Mahmoud Alhaj, Maisara Baroud, Malik Abu Salameh, Mohamed Abusal, Mohamed Harb, Mohamed Joha, Mohamed Khalil, Monther Jawabreh, Raed Issa, Rahaf Haj Ali, Rana Samara, Salah Al-Froukh, Sukaina Salaheddin and Yazan Abu Salameh; and Rare artworks, showcasing iconic Palestinian artists, including Fathi Ghaben, Ismail Shammout, Mustafa Al-Hallaj, Nabil Anani, Sliman Mansour, Tayseer Barakat, and Vera Tamari.

An artwork on show at Ramallah Art Fair.

“The exhibition invites art enthusiasts, collectors, and cultural institutions to join this exceptional experience, which embodies the spirit of Palestinian art and reflects the reality of resilience for Palestinians everywhere,” says Ziad Anani. Born in the city of Beit Jala in 1980, Bashir Qonqar is a Palestinian self-taught artist currently working and living in Bad Goisern, Austria. He studied social sciences in Heidenheim, Germany, where he resided for 7 years.

In 2007, he returned to Bethlehem, where he worked as a social pedagogue at rehabilitation institutions for several years, and served as Public Relations Manager at the Caritas Baby Hospital. Simultaneously, he taught oil painting and design at Dar Al-Kalima University’s faculty of visual arts. At the age of 8, Bashir experienced the loss of his father, who was killed during the First Palestinian Intifada. The event deeply impacted his childhood, shaping his personality.

In his art, Qonqar seeks to depict human instincts, needs and behaviours, often with satirical and cynical outcomes. His works have been exhibited in various countries, including Palestine, Germany, Austria, Andorra, Italy, France, South Africa, Sweden, the USA and the UAE. Ayman Essa was born in Gaza City in 1974. He completed his BA in Fine Arts at Al-Najah National University in Nablus in 1999. In 2011, he earned an MA degree in Fine Arts from the University of Helwan in Egypt. Essa’s artistic journey has been marked by his unique expression and exploration of various themes, with a particular focus on portraits of elegant women adorned with blue hues.

Through his work, he captures “the mysticism and allure of the feminine form, infusing his paintings with enchantment and introspection,” says Zawyeh Gallery. Essa recently relocated to Egypt from Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli genocidal war against Palestinians. Sukaina Salaheddin (b. 1988, Jerusalem) is a Palestinian visual artist and educator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Al-Quds University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Dar Al-Kalima University. Her artistic practice spans a variety of media; she has exhibited locally and internationally, including in group exhibitions in the US, Saudi Arabia, and Bosnia.

In her series ‘Spirit of the Cactus’, she reflects on the cactus as a symbol of resistance and resilience. The cactus, traditionally associated with Palestinian endurance, is portrayed not only as a symbol of struggle, but also as an aesthetic element that harmonises with its surroundings. She captures the evolving forms and colours of the cactus, emphasising its year-round presence and beauty in the changing landscape. Rehaf Batniji is a self-taught photographer and visual artist based in Gaza City, Palestine, who has participated in several local and international exhibitions. Batniji has collaborated with several organisations including Qattan Foundation (Palestine), Goethe (Palestine), Institut francais de Gaza (Palestine), Institut français de Tunis (Tunis), Kamel Lazaar Foundation (Tunis), Darat al Funun (Jordan), Cairo Photo Week (Egypt) and Gulf Photo Plus (United Arab Emirates).

A self-taught artist, she also paints and draws and works as an educator, teaching photography in different institutions in Gaza. A native Palestinian, Batniji has lived through four major conflicts in Gaza, through which she continued to produce work in various contexts and incorporating different mediums. Her work is imbued with social purpose and filled with fierce positivity; she uses colour as a tool of resistance to reflect the vibrancy of life in Gaza.