AN exhibition showcasing art made by children in Gaza is set to go on display in Scotland for the first time.
The HeART of Gaza exhibition will open next week in Edinburgh and features artworks from 36 children in Gaza.
The project started as an exchange between Mohammed Timraz, a Palestinian living in Gaza, and Feile Butler, an Irish illustrator.
The exhibition in Edinburgh was organised by In Solidarity, a volunteer-led collective of individuals that typically fundraises for individual families in Gaza.
It will take place at the Word and Actions for Peace community centre in collaboration with In Solidarity Edinburgh, Art Workers for Palestine Scotland and Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society.
'See life in Gaza through their eyes'
Arianna, one of the In Solidarity members behind the event, told The National that the purpose of the exhibition is for people to “bear witness” to the genocide in Gaza.
She said: “It’s about life but also about genocide. It’s for people to bear witness to what is happening and to give people a platform.
“[The exhibition] really shows humanity and that they are children who are living under circumstances that are unbearable – but they’re still children.
“You can see life in Gaza through their eyes.”
While the drawings explore the horrific circumstances children in Gaza are enduring, they also explore the everyday experiences of childhood and growing up.
“It’s a way of reminding that they are people, they are children,” Arianna said.
“Some of them are siblings, they are part of the same family. You can see the connection, you can see they are part of a community.
“It’s important to put their personality and individuality at the centre, because children and people in general are often being seen just as numbers.”
The exhibition will also commemorate the children who have lost their lives in Israel’s war on Gaza.
Arianna said that 24 of the children who have contributed art have since been killed. The exhibition will feature a drawing from each child who has been killed, alongside a photo and a statement with their name.
There will also be art activities children who attend the exhibition can take part in, as a way of contributing to the exchange.
Arianna said Timraz was “really excited for the exhibition to be in Scotland for the first time”.
Timraz said: “These words carry a message that transcends borders and languages – a message from the children who have endured the horrors of genocide, expressing their suffering through their small paintbrushes, hoping it will reach the hearts of the world.”
HeART of Gaza will open on March 17 at 6pm at the Words and Actions for Peace community centre at 58 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 1ST.
The exhibition will run until March 21, between 10am and 5pm every day.
