NAGHAM KARAJEH

Gaza- The living conditions of the people in the Gaza Strip have been deteriorating due to the ongoing Israeli attacks, the limited means affect women the most. Despite all the difficult living conditions, Sarah Saada, 18, keeps painting in an IDPs camp by using white cloth and wood ash to tell the stories of her people suffering from the siege imposed by Israel.

‘I want to be the voice of women by painting’

Sarah Saada wants to do something for her people because “I want to be the voice of women, children and journalists by painting. Art is an act of resistance for me. I first wanted to paint murals; however, I did not have equipment. Then, I decided to paint by using white cloth and wood ash. Although my materials are not of high quality, I paint to reflect the suffering of people.”

She paints her experiences

Due to high prices of paint colors, Sarah Saada decided to paint by using a normal black pen. “However, black pens are also very expensive so I decided to use wood ash. My paintings show the tragedies suffered by Palestinians, especially women and children. One of my paintings shows one woman who cries while holding her child in her arms because I have seen many women crying while holding their children in their arms in the camp.”

 Sarah Saada’s another painting shows one woman sitting behind bars to address the suffering of Palestinian prisoners. Sarah Saada does not forget to honor Palestinian journalists who risk their life every day to report the truth; one of her paintings depicts journalist Fadi Al-Wahidi, who was shot in the neck while reporting from the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. “I saw a photo of him in a coma and decided to draw in order to show that journalists cannot be silenced.”

‘I will keep painting for Gaza’

Sarah Saada has turned her tent into a street art gallery. Her paintings tell the stories of Palestinian people. “I feel happy when I see people looking at my paintings. Our life is full of tragedies but I believe that art can change this reality. I will keep painting for Gaza, for all those who seek hope in the midst of war.”