An artist in the UK has drawn inspiration from the heart-rending tale of a Palestinian boy killed in Gaza by an Israeli airstrike.
Kerry Beall saw Sahir Abu Namous's story in The National, as told by his cousin, then drew the youngster's portrait in her trademark ink and charcoal.
“Nowadays, everything is so accessible through the internet and social media. You can see very disturbing images very easily,” said Ms Beall.
“I saw an image of Sahir that I couldn’t ignore. It affected me for days. I cried while thinking about him and his family. It’s so awful and hard to believe it’s real.”
After finishing her picture of Sahir, she started on pictures of other children who lost their lives in the Gaza conflict.
“There was nothing I could do to change it but I thought, in some way, so much emotion went into the portrait,” Ms Beall said. “I hope it will keep the memory of Sahir alive.”
Eventually she hopes to show the portraits, collectively called Beyond Words, Keeping Gaza Alive at an exhibition in Palestine, before donating each picture to a relative of the victims.
Ms Beall, who has finished six portraits so far, is basing her works on websites such as Beyond the Numbers, which display pictures of people killed in the Israeli attacks.
“It has many people, men, women and children that have died,” she said.
“I have drawn individuals and people of the same family. All of them, when looked into, are heartbreaking and incredibly moving.”
Ms Beall is looking for funding to promote her cause.
“The funds will be used for framing each portrait and transporting the artwork to the families in Palestine when the blockade is defeated and withdrawn,” she said.
Ms Beall has never visited the UAE but believes the country would also be a perfect place to show her artworks.
“If the funds allow for it I would love for the exhibition to tour the UAE and anywhere else to raise awareness of the sheer number of lives lost,” she said.
“They are not just numbers, they are people. I want my portraits to highlight this.”
She strongly believes that an artist can play a vital role in raising awareness of the plight of those who are voiceless and suffering in different parts of the world.
“If something moves you then draw, paint, play music, write or whatever. If done with feeling, one can communicate a powerful message,” Ms Beall said.
“Sides are irrelevant when innocent men, women and children are being killed. Perspective on what’s important in life changes.
“These people are wondering if they’re going to survive tomorrow. Imagine that. It’s not something we can brush under the carpet and let fade into the background.”
Her initiative has been backed by Dia Mahmoud, an uncle of Sahir who is living in Gaza.
“I and all Palestinians appreciate such initiatives and solidarity campaigns,” Mr Mahmoud said.
“The art is a message to humans so the artist has to be a good messenger to help people.”
He hoped the portraits could also be shown in the UAE, US and Europe.
Becca Minter, curator at the Claremont Gallery in the UK, where some of Ms Beall’s recent work is on display, said she appreciated her motives for the portraits.
“Beyond Words, Keeping Gaza Alive is an amazing collection of beautiful portraits that leave a lasting imprint on the mind,” Ms Minter said.
Nikki Black, the owner of Artnyx Gallery in Brighton, agreed.
“The Beyond Words project is a great way of immortalising the innocent lives lost in Gaza,” Ms Black said.
“The portraits remind any viewer of the horrifying consequences that such violent conflicts can have on innocent civilians, especially children who suffer pointlessly.”
Click here for more details of Ms Beall's work.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
