Children’s Art from Gaza: A Heartbreaking Glimpse into War and resilience
An extraordinary art exhibition, born from the unimaginable experiences of children in Gaza, is now captivating audiences across Ireland and beyond. The heART of Gaza exhibition, initiated by architect Féile butler in Co sligo, showcases the raw, unfiltered perspectives of young Palestinians living through the horrors of war.
The project began when Butler’s children sent their drawings to Mohammed Timraz, a friend living in the Deir al-Balah camp in central Gaza. Timraz shared these artworks with his nieces and nephews, inspiring them and their friends to create their own. What started as a simple exchange of childhood sketches soon evolved into a powerful collection of over 50 exhibitions worldwide, including in France and Germany.
“It’s really about rehumanising the absolutely dehumanised palestinians,” Butler explains. The exhibition, also available on A Window into Childhood Amidst Chaos
Table of Contents The drawings, initially lighthearted, gradually took on darker tones as the war intensified. “They started sending drawings back that initially were basic childhood fare and then they started to get much darker,” Butler recalls. “They’re sending their messages out to the world so the world can actually see directly, straight from the heart of the children, totally unfiltered, what their experience of living through a genocide is.” Themes range from trauma and displacement to hope, friendship, and resilience. One particularly poignant piece by seven-year-old Shahed al-Zaqzouq depicts a bleeding cat injured by a missile attack.“The extra layer that broke my heart is outside the house,there’s a little cat and the cat is bleeding,” Butler shared. “That was just another layer that a seven-year-old is depicting this horror.” Tragically, two of the young artists featured in the exhibition have since lost their lives. Nine-year-old Reema Musbah Timraz and her 13-year-old brother Mohammed were killed in October 2023 when their home was bombed.Their 17-year-old brother, Wassem, survived only because he had gone to a local shop.Reema’s drawing,showing her holding hands with her cousin near a tree,and Mohammed’s depiction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque with a plea for Palestinian freedom,now stand as enduring testaments to their lives and dreams. The heART of Gaza exhibition is more than just art—it’s a call to action. “The world has to see what damage we are doing to these children,” Butler emphasizes. By amplifying the voices of Gaza’s youngest survivors, the exhibition challenges viewers to confront the human cost of conflict and to advocate for change. | Key Details of the heART of Gaza Exhibition | Through their art, these children are not only sharing their stories but also reclaiming their humanity. As the exhibition continues to tour, it serves as a stark reminder of the resilience and creativity that persist even in the darkest of times. To support the heART of gaza initiative and learn more about the children’s stories, visit their Instagram page or attend one of their exhibitions. Their voices deserve to be heard. In a world often overshadowed by headlines of conflict and despair, the heART of Gaza exhibition offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of children living through the horrors of war. Initiated by architect Féile Butler in County Sligo, Ireland, this remarkable project showcases the raw and unfiltered art of young Palestinians, capturing their experiences of trauma, displacement, and resilience.Today, we sit down with Dr. Layla Hassan, a renowned child psychologist and expert on the impact of war on children, to discuss the significance of this exhibition and the stories behind the art. Senior Editor: Dr.Hassan, thank you for joining us. The heART of Gaza exhibition began as a simple exchange of drawings between Féile Butler’s children and a family in gaza. How do you see this initial act of connection evolving into a global movement? Dr. Layla Hassan: Thank you for having me. What started as a personal exchange of childhood sketches quickly became a powerful platform for storytelling. When children in Gaza saw the drawings from Ireland, they were inspired to share their own experiences.This organic growth reflects the global need for connection and expression,especially in times of crisis.The exhibition’s global reach underscores how art can transcend borders and amplify voices that are often silenced. senior editor: The children’s drawings initially had a lighthearted tone but grew darker as the war intensified. Can you speak to the psychological impact of war on thes young artists? Dr. Layla Hassan: Absolutely. Children are incredibly perceptive, and their art often serves as a mirror to their inner world.The shift from playful sketches to darker themes reflects the trauma they endure daily. Drawing becomes a coping mechanism, allowing them to process their emotions and communicate their experiences. For many, it’s a way to reclaim a sense of agency in a situation where they feel powerless. Senior Editor: One piece that stood out was by seven-year-old Shahed al-Zaqzouq,depicting a bleeding cat injured by a missile attack. What does this tell us about how children perceive and internalize violence? Dr. Layla Hassan: Shahed’s drawing is heartbreaking as it shows how even the smallest details of life—like a neighborhood cat—are affected by violence. Children often project their own fears and pain onto animals or objects, making the trauma more relatable. This piece is a stark reminder that war doesn’t just destroy buildings; it shatters the innocence of childhood. Senior Editor: Tragically, two of the young artists, Reema and Mohammed Timraz, lost their lives in the conflict.How does their art serve as a testament to their lives and dreams? Dr.Layla Hassan: Reema and Mohammed’s art is a powerful legacy. Reema’s drawing of holding hands with her cousin near a tree symbolizes connection and hope, while Mohammed’s depiction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque with a plea for freedom reflects his deep longing for peace. Their work reminds us that these children were more than victims—they were dreamers, creators, and individuals with aspirations. Their art ensures that their voices continue to resonate, even in their absence. senior Editor: Féile Butler has described the exhibition as a call to action. How can art like this inspire change on a global scale? Dr. Layla Hassan: Art has the unique ability to humanize complex issues. When we see the world through the eyes of a child, it becomes impossible to remain indifferent. The heART of Gaza exhibition challenges viewers to confront the human cost of conflict and to advocate for change. It’s a reminder that behind every statistic is a story, and behind every story is a child who deserves a future free from violence.A Legacy of Loss and Hope
A Call to action
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| Location | touring Ireland, with 55+ exhibitions worldwide |
| Artists | 27 children, aged 3 to 17 |
| Themes | Trauma, displacement, hope, resilience |
| Platforms | Physical exhibitions, France and Germany | Children’s Art from Gaza: A Conversation on War, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity
The Origins of the heART of Gaza Exhibition
A Window into Childhood Amidst Chaos
A Legacy of Loss and Hope
A Call to Action Through Art
Key Details of the heART of gaza Exhibition
| Location | Touring Ireland, with over 55 exhibitions worldwide |
|---|---|
| Artists | 27 children, aged 3 to 17 |
| Themes | Trauma, displacement, hope, resilience |
| Platforms | Physical exhibitions and Instagram |
| Impact | over 50 exhibitions globally, including in France and Germany |
Final Thoughts
Senior Editor: As the exhibition continues to tour, what message do you hope it leaves with its audiences?
Dr. Layla Hassan: I hope it reminds people of the resilience and creativity that persist even in the darkest of times. These children are not just victims—they are storytellers, artists, and advocates for their own futures. Their art is a call to action,urging us to see their humanity and to work toward a world where no child has to live through war.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Hassan, for your insights. To our readers, if you’d like to support the heART of Gaza initiative or learn more about the children’s stories, visit their Instagram page or attend one of their exhibitions.Their voices deserve to be heard.
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