The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a subject the media covers daily. During everyday conversations and debates on the issue, people are overwhelmed with emotions and unforgettable images and memories the media plasters on the screen. The emotions are usually heart wrenching. Rarely do people get the opportunity to see the effects of the conflict via a different, more constructive outlet. On Thursday, Feb. 24, the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) in conjunction with the DePaul University Art Museum (DAM), 2350 N. Kenmore Ave., debuted an exhibition of Palestinian art work.
The exhibition entitled "The Subject of Palestine" is part of SJP's peace awareness campaign. "The Students for Justice in Palestine had the good idea, and we just worked to help see it happen," said Louise Lincoln, director of DAM. Lincoln also added, "it usually takes us two to three years to put together a show, but this [took] a relatively shorter time period. We first started a year ago with the plan to put on the show, but the actual preparation for the show was about six months of intensive hard work from both the students and museum."
The show features a diverse array of works created by Palestinian artists. Many of the artists exhibited actually resided in the Middle East, specifically the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. For many Palestinians, art is their outlet for the constant violence they encounter. Other featured artists were born and raised in the United States or Western Europe but identify with their Palestinian roots.
The art media range from sculptures to ink prints to photographic mosaics. There are 16 artists featured that created the 33 pieces. The art depicts the struggles of everyday Palestinian life from different perspectives. Some pieces focus more on everyday life, while others more on the historical aspect of the Palestinian conflict.
"The pieces are mind blowing and you really get a sense of what people are going through," said Zarina Majid, 19, sophomore.
Majid also added, "I was really looking forward to seeing the exhibit because a lot of my friends are active members of SJP, and I felt that it was my duty to come in order to show support for the cause."
Many Palestinians showed up to support the cause. However, the event is designed for anyone interested in the current issues or in modern art in general.
Artists were very appreciative of the students' efforts. The exhibit is part of Depaul's Students for Justice in Palestine peace campaign that works year around.
The exhibit runs through May 14, in the DAM's north wing of the art gallery. The museum is free and open to the public.
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