Designers are reacting to the current disaster between Israel and Palestine
#SaveSheikhJarrah has worked across social media platforms to raise awareness of the evictions of Palestinians and the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces.
As we saw in the protests against Black Lives Matter last summer, designers created works to express solidarity with the Palestinians and to promote understanding of what was happening. Voices from the religious and political spectrum, from A-list celebrities to soccer players to art galleries, have spoken out in favor of Palestinian freedom and an end to the conflict that killed 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis.
As a truce is announced, we're speaking to a handful of designers who have shared their responses on Instagram. Here they explain why they chose to speak out and how design can help communicate on controversial issues.
BAYAN DAHDAH
Bayan Dahdah is a Dubai-based designer who uses graphic design, illustration and animation to portray historical and contemporary narratives.
"The videos, which were first posted on social media by families evicted from their homes, were very well received," says Dahdah. “It served as a visual reminder of what happened to my grandparents over 70 years ago. My grandparents fled during the Nakba in 1948 and went to Jordan where they started their new lives. The generation trauma, the feeling of displacement, the instability still exist in me today despite my highly privileged life. "
Dahdah worked with graphic artist Amer Jamhour, also whose roots are in Palestine, to create a short animation of the first mass exodus of Palestinians from their homes in 1948, which she shared on Instagram. “I can only tell my personal story as objectively as possible, which is political in and of itself. But it is my truth and my story cannot be argued or denied. The facts speak for themselves. "
Dahdah's work usually only reaches its Arab audience, but with this animation people from the UK and Europe are engaging with it. “This was a big change … a necessary change. For the first time I feel our collective voices being heard, ”she says.
ANTHONY BURRILL
Anthony Burrill is a UK-based graphic artist known for his typography and language use to convey clear and powerful messages.
“I felt morally obliged to use my platform to talk about the current situation. My thoughts were with the civilians involved in the conflict in Gaza. "Peace Now!" Is there for everyone. It's a human reaction to the devastating scenes I've seen on TV and on social media over the past two weeks, ”says Burrill.
"Creatives shouldn't be afraid to tackle difficult problems. We should support people who speak up and encourage everyone to deal with the world through their work."
Burrill's screen printed and t-shirt designs are being sold to raise funds for Oxfam's Gaza Crisis Appeal. "I know that printing a T-shirt won't change the world, but I wanted to do something that would show solidarity with those who suffer and that could offer practical help." Burrill hopes the t-shirts will help carry the message "Peace Now!" Into the world.
KULSUM KAROLIA
Kulsum Karolia is a graphic designer who combines analog processes and digital design in her work and recently graduated from the Manchester School of Art.
"What is happening in Sheikh Jarrah is not new. Palestinians have been under occupation for decades … the media does not give the Palestinians a voice, so it is our responsibility to be their voice and that is the least we can do," says Karolia.
Karolia was aware that she was just starting her career but wasn't concerned about the possible backlash the uttering might have. “When you talk about Palestine, people feel uncomfortable and that has to change…. I've been called brave for speaking out, but it's not about standing up and being brave, it's about standing up for what's right. People avoid mentioning ethnic cleansing, genocide, settler colonialism and apartheid (to name a few), but this is happening right before our eyes. "
Your illustration shows the moment when the Al Jalaa Tower in Gaza, which housed international media offices, was destroyed by Israeli air strikes. "The simplicity of the illustration reflects the situation too often described as too complicated to understand when in fact it is not," she says. Karolia hopes the educational resources shared online will solve the problem that some find too difficult for Palestine to understand or express. "I hope people begin to understand the real side of history and give the Palestinians the rights they so desperately deserve."
PROTEST TEMPLATE
Ben is a member of Protest Stencil, a collaborative political art project that undermines corporate advertising with messages to support grassroots anti-racist groups.
"I met Mohammed El-Kurd in 2013 at his family's house in Sheikh Jarrah and have been in touch with the situation of his family and others ever since," says Ben (who prefers to remain anonymous beyond his first name). "I wanted to do what I could to show solidarity and created these posters in response to calls from Mohammed and other Palestinians for global solidarity to highlight what is happening there and to put pressure on Israel to ethnic cleanse Jerusalem to stop."
The posters were placed in prominent locations in London, including across the river from Parliament. “As with apartheid in South Africa, history will not be kind to those in power but will do nothing to add their voice to demands for freedom, justice and equality, which is all the Palestinian BDS campaign is calling for.
"It was really clear that the Palestinians felt the solidarity of artists, athletes, musicians … everyone who showed them support. It is very easy for Palestinians to see all the protests and messages of support from people around the world through social media Just check out Mohammed El-Kurd's social media to see what it means for him and his family, as well as the other families in Sheikh Jarrah, to have so much international support. "
SARAH BORIS
Sarah Boris is an artist, graphic designer and creative director whose practice is divided between commissions, artwork and self-publications.
“I have a lot of friends and colleagues who have exchanged really important information about what was going on in the last few weeks,” says the artist. “I made the flag when I felt compelled to do something. I wanted to create a graphic work of art without words, but that would convey love and solidarity. "
"I felt like I couldn't be silent," she continues. “So far, the reaction after the flag artwork was published has been very positive. I have received messages from people around the world expressing their gratitude for their support. I have also connected and spoken to more people in churches around the world. It was really something special, beautiful and emotional. "
Sarah Boris has decided to publish the Love artwork as a print in collaboration with Harvey Lloyd Screens. The proceeds will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestine.
Sana Iqbal is a freelance strategic graphic designer and board member of writing organization 26; @sanaiqbaldesign