Art, Heart and Progress - Photography
When Politicians Fail
Artists of all genres have decided to nudge the world towards progress
The failure of politicians and illusory peace talks are evidenced by concrete walls and continuing blockades. However all is not lost, as among other efforts, an explosion of political art — charts a more grass roots effort, to end the stalemate. From performance art to street art. “Art, Heart and Progress,” collates, some of the artistic efforts, that have created a formidable civil society, concerned with the intransigence of politician in the face of very real suffering.
Originally one blog, I have split this into three, titled, Art, heart and progress — artists, and art heart and progress — art activism, and art heart and progress — Photography, there is overlap between the three.
This is not an endorsement of the political views of any of the artists; mainly because I do not have the right to comment on how Palestinians should see their future. However as a human being in a shared world, I, like many others, do believe it is a legitimate concern to raise issue when things are glaringly unfair and the institutions we have created to respond in arbitration are not responding adequately, to end the state of unfairness. I appreciate that this is not an easy task.
I have tried to include a wide range of artists from different perspectives, from across the world. I myself am learning about this conflict and the artists as I build this collection, this is currently a living page, being updated as you read, expect edit notes.
The sections at the moment are:
- A Message
- The Artists
- Appendix and Bibliography
A New Year ! A New Way?
Are we responsible for making sure that non-violent political engagement is effective and succeeds? What happens when we block it?
The Artists
(In alphabetical order)
Mahmoud Elkourd
Mahmoud Alkurd is a conceptual and fine art photographer, who began his career in 2013. He grew up in Gaza and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature. Mahmoud began teaching himself photography. Driven by passion and eagerness, he started creating photos that illustrate specific concepts in an artistic manner.
“We Breathe Freedom”, is the recent-unfinished series which emerged after 51 days of war, it was a time of extreme devastation and violence, enough to kill any drop of hope in Gaza, however somehow in this turmoil he realized that, on this earth, is what’s worth living for! — Based on the blurb from Mahmoud’s self penned biography.
Hamde Abu Rahman
Photojournalist and Activist and author of photo book Roots Run Deep — Life in Occupied Palestine.
From the untimely death of his cousin came a need to document and share the struggles of everyday life in Palestine for Photojournalist Hamde Abu Rahma. Born and brought up in the picturesque village of Bil’in close to Ramallah, a village that has been in the forefront of peaceful non-violent resistance.
Hamde and his fellow journalists risk their lives to document life for Palestinians. For him danger is all too present, having frequently been the target of the Israeli army whilst at work, through constant attacks and harassment. Hamde captures in his photos, what he feels are the most important aspects of struggle, that Palestinians go through day to day. And he attempts to share this with the wider world, a visual portrait of occupation and apartheid.
In his most recent project — “Roots Run Deep- Life in occupied Palestine”, is a photographic insight into life under inhuman and relentless military occupation of Palestine which has lasted over six decades. The powerful images contained in the book are complimented with commentary explaining life and insight, through Hamde’s camera lens.
Anne Pak
Photo: Nisma, 14 years old from Shujayea, misses the most her clothes.
Anne Pak, has exhibited striking portraits of Gaza children in their destroyed bedrooms, after the 2014 summer Israeli assault. She writes, “…sadly, it is still relevant on her facebook page. She has exhibited with the help of Israeli’s who are keen to persuade others to acknowledge the plight of Palestinians, and the injustice of the Occupation.
She has previously exhibited in Marseille, Berlin and Leiden, “This used to be my bedroom” photo exhibition is available for display. It includes 10 photos 1m by 1m.
Appendix
The Debate
The Art is bound with activism and political debate. So following are some of the big debates.
The Non-Violent Movement
As an external observer, still learning my summary below:
The largest bulk of Palestinian civil society is engaged in Non-Violent political struggle, however it seems that younger people especially are frustrated with the lack of movement and the continuing growth of the settlements.
As far as I can tell, there is a campaign coming from Israel and internationally which currently calls itself “Coexist”, which sets itself in opposition, to that coming from Palestinian Civil Society called, “BDS” or “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions”. Coexist has the bigger names and big money behind it, it oozes slick. However it has so little support among Palestinians; probably hampered by its own nature. My initial view of Coexist is, it does not respond to occupation facts, therefore, it becomes a campaign for benevolent inequality.
It is a shame, because a genuine movement that worked for longer term peace, and reconciliation (Genuine, measured in Palestinian empowerment) and was backed and supported by Palestinian civil society would probably be well received, however as yet it seems to be unnamed.
This debate took centre stage in a series of letters between J.K. Rowling the author and a young Palestinian, Mia Oudeh.
BDS: Interview with BDS Dr Haider Eid
Coexist: Coexist Website
Culture for Coexistence: UK Campaign
The Public Debate in Letters
Letter by BDS in the Guardian
Letter by Coexist in the Guardian
Mia Oudeh to JK Rowling in the Herald Scotland
JK Rowling to Mia Oudeh in the Herald Scotland
Bibliography
Title image, “Out of Adversity” by Mahmoud Elkourd Photography
Title image, “A Vision of Captivity” by Mahmoud Elkourd Photography -Palestinian Photographer based in Gaza. Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MahmoudElkourd/?fref=photo and http://www.mahmoudalkurd.com/
Hamde Abu Rahman Photo Journalist http://www.hamdeaburahma.com/
Anne Pak Activestills.org
Previous Posts
On Choice
- Good Robots
- Can we have a better choice then “Shoot to Kill”, please?
- Inventors, Engineers, Innovators — Where are you?
On Truth
- Understanding Data in War and Peace
- News Neutrality and News Integrity — societies need for impartial and truthful information.
On Change
On Progress
- Art, Heart and Progress — Art Activism
- Art, Heart and Progress — The Artists
(Recently found that all links to video content had broken, so apologies for errors in these two articles) - Art, Heart and Progress — Photography
