Meem Gallery is presents the Children of Gaza exhibition. In 2009 three international photographers with the support of Save the Children entered Gaza. For nearly two weeks the award winning photographers, Anthony Dawton, Jim McFarlane and Giuseppe Aquili photographed children and their families, victims of the Israeli incursion of 27 December 2008. The images are extraordinary. They tell of what happened and the damage done, physically and psychologically but they also tell of a people, particularly the children, bright, intelligent and full of hope.

The exhibition is as dramatic in its presentation as the images themselves are. It comprises of twenty-one black and white photographic art works each 1.5 x 1 metres. Included in the exhibition are eighteen original pieces, inspired by the photographic images, from the renowned artist Dia Al-Azzawi. His images provide a vivid and colourful contrast to the imposing monochrome images of Aquili, Dawton and McFarlane. The digital manipulations represent a new path in the work of his oeuvre.

The exhibition hopes to define the process in which art can bring understanding to seemingly intractable political conflict as well as to highlight the terrible consequences long and short term of such conflicts. Proceeds from the exhibition will support Save the Children’s project in Gaza in partnership with the Salam ya Seghar Fund. Salam ya Seghar have been supporting Save the Children’s work in Gaza since 2012 and with their support Save the Children have been able to reach thousands of children with access to healthcare, nutrition and better opportunities. The exhibition should be considered as an installation and the event itself a ‘happening’.

-Meem Gallery

Image: ©Dia Al-Azzawi
Image No.1
2011
Giclée print
100 x 100cm