A Palestinian artist’s powerful message on Gaza’s reality
Story by Ifath Arwah
Photo: Hosnia’s artwork depicts a journey to the unknown, with 20 faceless Palestinian women huddled together, seemingly gripped by fear, with their backs facing onlookers. Courtesy University of Sharjah’s College of Fine Arts and Design
A painting depicting the living conditions of Palestinians during the ongoing war in Gaza has won the top prize at a festival for emerging artists in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Haya Hosnia, a senior at the University of Sharjah’s College of Fine Arts and Design in the UAE, was selected as the winner among scores of installations in the visual arts category at this year’s Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, in which more than 100 local and foreign artists exhibited artworks on a variety of themes.
Hosnia won the prize for her 4 by 1.5-metre canvas, in which she portrays the harsh conditions of life in Palestine, her home country, and Palestinians’ struggle for a better life in the wake of a devastating war on Gaza that has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
Hosnia’s painting, named ‘Unrevealed’, tells the story of a nation in terrible pain, with no hope for relief.
The captivating artwork depicts a journey to the unknown, with 20 faceless Palestinian women huddled together, seemingly gripped by fear, with their backs facing onlookers.
The women are lined up behind a wall seemingly torn apart by an artillery shell in a deserted village. They are wholly covered by their abayas, loose robe-like outer garments, painted with multiple layers of stark colors.
Asked about her reason for joining the competition, Hosnia said, “I enrolled in it because the painting I wanted to submit has a message that I really want to talk about and spread all around the world. So, I had a chance and didn’t want to lose it.”
In her terse text in the festival’s catalogue, she writes, “Violence, chaos, danger, and brutality explain everyday life in Palestine. The people there, and even those not directly involved, are living an inferior life. In ‘Unrevealed,’ we see the truth behind Palestinians’ everyday lives.
“As it stands, we are not the only Palestinian family who suffers and loses people precious to our hearts. Many families in Palestine go through this suffering and lose loved ones in the blink of an eye.”
Ras Al Khaimah Festival: Uniting cultures through art
Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates making up the UAE. The festival bearing the emirate’s appellation was first launched in 2013 with only 30 emerging local artists taking part. It has since morphed into an international gathering. In its current 12th edition, it attracted artists from 35 countries showcasing their work in six major exhibitions ranging from art and photography to sculpture and film.
The organisers dubbed this year’s festival “In Motion” as most of the exhibits, like the one by Hosnia, delve into inner human experiences, exploring themes captivating our divided world and capturing the highs and lows of existence.
Hosnia’s artwork is a metaphor for the atrocities a war can cause. The colours she employs speak volumes about human suffering. She notes: “The first layer is red, which is associated with blood and the bodies of loved ones who have passed away. Using white cloth on the second layer shows the purity of the souls of these dead bodies. There are grey figures that symbolise the victims’ shadows in the layer behind the white figures.
“There is one figure in the last layer that plays great significance in my artwork. There are Palestinian embroidery designs all over the cloth covering the figure, exemplifying the strength and power of every person who was killed.”
As a Palestinian herself, Hosnia finds herself closely connected to her artwork. “This painting is very personal to me because it represents not just my family’s experiences but also the collective suffering of many Palestinian families.
“Each layer and figure in the painting holds deep meaning and is a tribute to the resilience and spirit of those who have endured so much. There is still a strong sense of pride and connection between each and every victim and their beloved country Palestine.”
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