The fifth edition of Ramallah Art Fair unfolded at Zawyeh Gallery under the theme ‘Narratives Under Occupation‘. Running from January 31 to March 29, the fair offers a powerful reflection of life in an occupied country through more than 150 artworks by 42 artists from Palestine and the Golan Heights in Syria.
Stories of Gaza Told Through Art
The participating artists delve into the daily realities shaped by more than two years of ongoing genocide in Gaza, exploring themes of displacement, loss, identity, and memory, while simultaneously imagining an occupation-free future. The artworks are presented across two sections: Contemporary and Rare, with resistance and resilience at the core of every piece.
Daily Struggles Framed in Contemporary Works
The Contemporary Section showcases works that boldly document life under occupation, capturing the tension between survival, grief, and perseverance. From Gaza, Maisara Baroud presents original pieces from his powerful series I’m Still Alive, portraying the daily anguish of life amidst ongoing genocide. Sari Tarazi contributes a striking series of montages drawn from street demonstrations across Palestine, bearing witness to public protest and resilience. Meanwhile, Bashar Khalaf examines the aftermath of a devastating fire in Ramallah’s main vegetable market through a new body of work.
Inass Yassin contributes two evocative works, 100 Oranges in Yafa and Mohammad Returns Home, a tribute to the Palestinian artist Mohammad Alhaj from Gaza, whose creations were lost under the rubble. For the first time in the RAF, Noor Elshaer from the Golan Heights presents a series exploring the theme Tayyat, chronicling the inner conflicts and emotional struggles that accompany the experience of motherhood.
Rare Treasures Shaping Regional Art
The Rare Section, which debuted at RAF last year to critical acclaim, returns this year with one-of-a-kind pieces that have shaped the regional visual art scene over the decades. On display is a 1995 lithograph by Syrian artist Burhan Karkutli (1932–2003), depicting men, women, and animals in village life as if part of a living story.
A rare 1970 etching by Juliana Seraphim (1934–2005) explores themes of homeland, memory, femininity, and identity through her distinctive surrealist style. Also featured is a vibrant 2005 watercolor by Vladimir Tamari (1942–2017) and a rare silkscreen by Laila Shawa (1940–2022), portraying lilies with her signature expressive touch. Among the other notable works, the section includes a piece by Shafik Radwan, who tragically lost all his earlier works in the rubble of his home in Gaza.
The exhibition presents a diverse array of works by Palestinian artists spanning multiple generations, capturing the evolving realities of life in Gaza. It also highlights emerging artists, some of whom are exhibiting their work for the very first time. With many pieces offered at accessible prices, the fair provides a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire Palestinian art while supporting its creative community.
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