Hastings Artists Unite to Raise Funds for Al Mawasi
Artists across Hastings have come together to raise funds for the community of Al Mawasi in Gaza. The Art Raffle is a collaboration between Stella Dore Gallery in St Leonards, Hastings Art School, Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign (HDPSC) and Hastings Friends of Al Mawasi.
The collection of over 20 original works can be viewed online and will be on display at the White Rock Hotel on Friday 19 July. Raffle tickets available online for £5 each will be drawn on 27 July.
Steph Warren, owner of Stella Dore Gallery, says that all the artists she works with have been affected by the last nine months of genocide in Gaza: official death toll 38,000, mostly women and children. Worse still, The Lancet medical journal revealed this week that the likely death toll, including from disease, starvation and those still buried under the rubble, is likely to be over 186,000, representing 8% of the population.
“Gaza is the biggest injustice of our age,” says Steph. “We all want to do our bit to help alleviate the suffering there. Every artist I spoke to about this wanted to give a piece to the collection to try to make a difference.”
Julia Kotziamani from Hastings Art School also found huge support for the fundraiser amongst local artists. “This feels like one of those moments in history when we need to be able look our grandchildren in the eye and tell them that we did all we could to help.” she says.
The collection includes donations from artists of varying styles and mediums with contributions from Shuby, Giles Duly, Sue Lawes, Mawjood, Dorcas Magbadelo, Tim Sanders, Mew, Laure, Marta Munoz, Hollie Newman, Harriet Macaree and many more.
One stunning work is a portrait of Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, famous worldwide for her honest and courageous reports from Gaza. The work by Yasmin Aishah is titled after the phrase Bisan uses at the start of every report: “This is Bisan from Gaza, and I am still alive.”
The Art Raffle will raise funds for the resilience committee in the coastal enclave of Al Mawasi, currently helping to distribute food and aid to the displaced peoples sheltering there. They have long-established links with Hastings Friends of Al Mawasi, but much more is needed because of the thousands fleeing to the small fishing village seeking safety.
Weekly messages describe a desperate struggle to find enough food and clean water. “Nowhere is safe in Gaza,” says Grace Lally of Hastings Friends of Al Mawasi. “The area was designated a ‘safe zone’ and yet there have been numerous bombing and sniper attacks. Prices have skyrocketed so the meagre food that does exist is too costly for most people. Every penny we send makes a difference.
“Our friends have lost their homes, their relatives, their sense of security and their futures. They have suffered beyond human endurance and yet, we are constantly amazed by their strength and compassion for one another.“
To view the collection and buy tickets, go to hastingspalestinecampaign.org/art-raffle-for-al-mawasi.html. For information on the exhibition see Facebook event page facebook.com/events/487934233745847/?rdid=ARsbgUi6Vi7UNskP
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