In the ravaged landscape of Gaza, creativity emerges as a beacon of hope and resilience amidst adversity. Sixteen-year-old Maryam exemplifies this spirit as she immerses herself in art, channeling her emotions through drawing despite the ongoing challenges she faces due to conflict. Her story underscores the therapeutic power of art, not just for individuals like her, but for entire communities striving to heal and maintain their identity in the face of turmoil.
Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip – Maryam sits in front of a blank sheet of paper, holding her pencil as she begins to sketch the first strokes of her drawing, eyes focused intently on the details. Amid the reality of a relentless war that has cast a pall over daily life in Gaza, the 16-year-old seeks to create a different world for herself, even if just for a fleeting few hours. With her pencil and paper, she finds solace, retreating to a hobby that breathes life into her challenging existence.
Maryam’s family home was bombed in January 2024, forcing her to reside with her grandmother in Deir el-Balah. She has faced the harrowing loss of friends and family, including her uncle, as a result of the conflict that has claimed the lives of over 73,000 Palestinians since October 2023. The art space where she draws, situated in a café by the beach, has turned into a sanctuary for her.
“The space helped me return to myself and rediscover my passion for drawing,” Maryam reflects. For her, art transcends a simple pastime; it serves as a conduit for expressing emotions that are often difficult to articulate. “I feel a great sense of psychological relief, as if I can pour my feelings onto the paper instead of keeping them bottled up inside me,” she offers. Each piece reinforces her ability to convey her emotions creatively, creating a bridge of understanding with those around her.
Maryam has been drawing since childhood but began attending this art space in April when it launched. Each finished artwork not only gives her a sense of accomplishment but also fosters a glimmer of hope amidst darker days. “Completing a drawing motivates me to wake up every day with renewed passion,” she notes. “It plants new hope inside me. Without it, despair would have consumed me.”
The initiative to create an art space stems from Abdullah al-Ghafri’s vision, a dedicated 35-year-old who has identified the urgent need for creative outlets amid the chaos of war. His motivation lies in the desire to nurture young talent and provide a reprieve from the surrounding devastation. “With most cultural centers in Gaza destroyed, we needed a space to accommodate our children’s talents,” he explains. “The goal is to lift participants from the shadows of war, replacing negativity with hope.”
Psychologists, like Asil Abu Shawish, advocate for the importance of art as a therapeutic tool for children grappling with trauma. “Art provides a means to release pent-up emotions,” she states. Establishing a secure environment for artistic expression offers children a semblance of control in a volatile setting.
“If a child understands they have time to create, it instills a sense of normalcy,” Abu Shawish explains, noting that art can pave the way for communication and connection. “Many children express emotions through artistic creations rather than verbalizing them,” she adds, emphasizing the importance of integrating creative activities into children’s lives, especially during such challenging times.
Nearby in Nuseirat, the Palestinian Student Care Association collaborates with the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music to bring musical education to children. Coordinator Jabr Thabet underscores the transformative nature of music: “We are dedicated to providing joy and a sense of normalcy to children, regardless of their circumstances.” Despite infrastructure challenges, sessions continue even in displace regions, allowing children to discover the joy of making music and fostering social bonds.
In Gaza, art and music are not mere distractions; they represent resilience and continuity of culture amidst adversity. As Maryam and countless other children take up their art instruments and creative tools, they not only preserve their spirit but also cultivate a hopeful vision for the future.
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