A PALESTINIAN artist is making her debut in Scotland this month with an exhibition which reflects on the “unfolding genocide in Gaza”.
Malak Mattar was born in 1999 in the Gaza Strip and grew up under occupation.
Her work reflects this; her style has previously been vibrant and colourful, but her latest solo exhibition, titled Screams, is completely different in style, subject and colour palette, offering a “profound insight” into her “unfiltered and powerful response to the ongoing genocide” in Gaza.
“It needs to be completely horrific,” she stated while making the pieces, “otherwise it will not accurately reflect the genocide.”
The exhibition will also showcase some of Mattar’s earlier colourful works created before October 7, which will act as “a glimpse of hope for the future of Palestine”.
Commenting on the exhibition, Mattar said: “My goal is to use art to shed light on the ongoing barbaric genocide in Gaza and to honor the resilience of fellow artists and every Palestinian spirit worldwide.
“The contrast reflects the transformation of my work influenced by genocide, with humanity being the sole reason to return to color.”
Mattar’s artwork will be on display at Embassy Gallery in Edinburgh from May 23 to 27, starting off with an opening evening with the artist in-person on May 23 at 6.30pm.
The start of the exhibition coincides with the beginning of the Edinburgh leg of the Falastin Film Festival (FFF), a Palestinian Film Festival running from May 24 to 26 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
The festival spotlights Palestinian cinema, music, cuisine, and other storytelling mediums.
Featuring almost entirely Palestinian filmmakers and guests, the festival aims to “decolonise the narrative and equip audiences with historical context” as well as build community while celebrating Palestinian art and culture.
The exhibition will then move to the In Vitro Gallery at Summerhall from June 7 to 28.
