Gaza 2023-3, Sole Companion

Tea-wash, watercolour, gold ink & black ink on wasli paper, 21.6 x 14.9 cm, Artist’s Collection

This is the third painting in the Gaza 2023 series. Like in most of my work, the oval shape contains its central theme.

A simurgh—a huge bird-like creature of Persian mythology—keeps the surviving child company. This creature represents the noble and strong Gazan people who want to save their children from the horrors of genocide. But it’s trapped in that land. Missiles still point towards them, even though many Gazans have already been killed and their land destroyed.

Mountains represent the home of the legendary simurgh. A lonely peacock—looking up at the missiles (in disbelief?)—contrasts beauty and destruction. Olive branches and flowers all represent Gaza. Again, Arabic phrases repeat the words being uttered to this day by the Gazans.