London’s P21 gallery unveils new exhibition Art of Palestine: from the river to the sea

As the current Israeli aggression on Gaza morphs into an open-ended regional war, it can be easy here in the UK to lose sight of the more intimate, daily concerns and experiences of Palestinians on the ground and in the diaspora.

Palestinian art output is as prolific as ever, and the Palestine Museum US’ latest exhibition is no exception in showcasing the creativity and talent of Palestinian artists from all walks of life.

According to curator Faisal Saleh, Art of Palestine: from the river to the sea, which opens at Palestinian-owned gallery P21 nearly one year after Israel began its latest assault on Gaza, aims to celebrate and raise awareness of Palestinian culture and heritage, as well as providing a space for solidarity and discussion.

“Numerous artists are facing issues of cancellation and censorship. It is essential for us to maintain a presence in the art world to counteract the efforts of erasure and censorship, affirming the existence of Palestine and the humanity of the Palestinian people,” Faisal tells The New Arab. 

The exhibition features work from across the spectrum of artistic experiences, from emerging talents to established practitioners.

Visitors can view pieces from computer art pioneer Samia Halaby and sculptor Nabil Anani, whose families were displaced following the Nakba, alongside art by Gazan children depicting their more current reality.

Also from Gaza are iconic black and white compositions by Maisara Baroud and haunting landscapes by Mohammed Alhaj, as well as other works from artists who have recently been evacuated. Both Baroud and Alhaj are still, as Saleh puts it “somewhere in Gaza”.

Other notable works displayed are panels from the Palestinian History Tapestry project, which uses embroidery to illustrate and document Palestinian history, from scenes of displacement and occupation to everyday celebrations and regional insignia.

Faisal Saleh has also included a map of Palestine on the floor, a “hallmark” of his practice that has featured in the last five exhibits. This one illustrates pre-1948 Palestine, before the ethnic cleansing and renaming of over 500 towns and villages.

Determination to reach Western audiences 

The exhibition is one way in which the Palestine Museum US fulfills its mission of telling the Palestinian story through the arts to an international audience.

Faisal is particularly keen to reach Western audiences whose opinions he laments are shaped by a biased mainstream media that largely adopts the Israeli perspective.

He hopes to counter this narrative by showing the humanity, resilience and creativity of the wider Palestinian community.

“Through our initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap in understanding and foster a more nuanced and balanced perspective that honours the humanity of Palestinians, recognises their artistic achievements, and advocates for their rights,” Faisal says. 

In a sign of the times, Faisal points out that there has been a sharp increase in audience engagement in the past year: “Our Instagram account has grown from 33,000 to 104,000 followers, reflecting a substantial rise in interest.”

Particularly successful is the Museum’s online virtual screening programme: every Saturday, they share a film followed by a hosted talk.

This initiative has reached audiences in over 40 countries, which also speaks to the unprecedented interest in the Palestinian story and the scale of global solidarity efforts.

Promoting cross-border dialogue 

Art of Palestine: from the river to the sea will run concurrently with two other major exhibitions overseen by the Museum: From Palestine With Art in Cork, an exploration of identity and belonging, and Foreigners in their Homeland: Occupation, Apartheid and Genocide in Venice, which delves into themes of dispossession, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.

By overseeing three simultaneous exhibits, the Palestine Museum US helps engage a wide and diverse audience, fostering cross-border dialogue, and showcasing the rich tapestry of Palestinian culture in a multitude of settings, highlighting its many facets.

Art of Palestine: from the river to the sea will run at P21 Gallery until December 21. 

Abla Kandalaft is a journalist, researcher and film programmer. She currently edits myDylarama, and hosts and produces its podcast, as well as the Garden Cinema Film Talk Podcast. Aside from film, she specialises in labour relations, the Middle East and the media landscape