Laila Kassab

Laila Kassab is a 39-year-old painter and mother from Gaza, who has lived through many attacks. In 2012, her home was destroyed – and thus her room, which served as her art studio. Nearly all of her paintings at that time, and her materials, were destroyed. She decided to start painting with make-up after that instead, for work that ended up being exhibited in Britain.

“I’d like to say that painting is my passport to the world. It is my only pleasure in this life. It is no coincidence that some symbols come more frequently. The woman’s frequent presence is an indication of the homeland or the good land. Birds are sometimes an indication of the desire to be liberated and to stay in a circle of inner peace for some time. This is something difficult to achieve in my country – subjected to successive wars. There is no doubt that each symbol has the power to suggest the meaning of Palestinian existence.”

While her work has been shown in multiple countries, Kassab has been unable to travel freely and visit with her work. Social media is a way she’s cited to get the art out there, but she’s often left frustrated at not being able to go herself, as she would like to travel the world and create.

Now, Kassab and her family have been in Gaza during the ongoing genocide and are working to continue to survive.