Women In War – Palestine: Inside the Kuwait exhibition raising funds for Palestinian women

In Kuwait, more than 100 artists from around the world expressed their solidarity with Palestinian women through an extensive art exhibition.

Curated by Kuwaiti artist Amira Behbehani, Women in War – Palestine was held this month at the Contemporary Art Platform art gallery, showcasing approximately 200 artworks varying in artistic mediums. 

The event was organised by the Intisar Foundation, established by Kuwaiti philanthropist HH Sheikha Intisar AlSabah, with the aim of supporting women and children in war zones by allowing them to express themselves through mental health drama therapy programmes.

The October exhibition aligned with the one-year mark of the start of Israel's genocide on Gaza and so funds from Women in War – Palestine went towards supporting Palestinian women.

"Art is a very peaceful and acceptable medium to support any cause. Artists talk through their creativity and send strong messages through art," Amira Behbehani told The New Arab.

"What is happening to women and children in Palestine is very evil and sad, and now we know that this is an ongoing war against humanity in the region, especially with what happened to Lebanon," she added, highlighting the expansion of Israel's war into Lebanon. 

Some of the participating artists, including Raed Issa and Abdul Rahman Katanani, are Palestinians themselves, and according to Amira, it was a challenge getting their work out of Palestine.

She was also overwhelmed by the great turnout of the public. "We had daily visitors and the artwork sold very well," she added.

"The support of people, either buyers or visitors, is unbelievable. You can feel how everyone is affected by the situation."

One of the artists who donated their work to the exhibition is Mohammed Joha, who is based in Marseille, France, but is actually from Gaza.

After a long period of absence, Mohammed finally visited his hometown again in July 2023.

"It was a beautiful visit," he told The New Arab. "I met with my family, friends and a new generation of people. The city also developed with new buildings and other details, and there was high luxury. Today, Gaza, in the most unexpected way, looks the exact opposite of how I last saw it." 

The war on Gaza broke out one month after Mohammed's return to France. "It was really difficult and painful. I lost my sister, her husband and their children in one hit," he said.

"We lost a lot of family members, friends, neighbours and acquintances. The first three months of the war greatly affected my psyche and energy, but life had to go on... I had to go back to my work and life. At the same time, I am still following my family's news and attending to their needs." 

At the exhibition, Mohammed, who attended its opening in late September, presented his textural artwork, Capital of Tents.

Scraps of fragile material, notably cloth and paper mache, are juxtaposed together, creating a landscape of tents, as currently seen in Gaza.

"Life in Gaza is primitive now and has been completely transformed," he said, adding that the work also reflects the decades-long history of displacement endured by Palestinians, from the Nakba to now.  

Another artist who took part in the show is the Lebanese, Dubai-based artist Tagreed Darghouth, known for her highly expressive canvases marked with swirly brushstrokes, that reflect troubling times.

Through her gallery representative, Tabari Artspace in Dubai, a selection of her paintings, based on the devastating August 4, 2020 explosions in Beirut, were on display. 

"I was enthusiastically approached by Maliha Tabari, the gallerist of Tabari Artspace, who explained the initiative behind this exhibition," Tagreed told The New Arab.

"We are all seeking ways to support the Palestinian people in any way we can. The exhibition's focus on helping distressed Palestinian women through drama therapy is incredibly impactful," Tagreed added.

"Even in the darkest times, we continue to create and use art as a powerful response. For me, this represents a significant challenge to the war machine that dehumanises us, often with the backing of countries that pride themselves on human rights.”

Rawaa Talass is a freelance journalist focusing on art and culture emerging from the Middle East. Her work has been published in Art Dubai, Arab News, Al Arabiya English,  Artsy, The Art Newspaper, Kayhan Life, Dubai Collection, and The National

Follow her on X: @byrawaatalass