Shababek exhibition: Gaza Art - Contemplative Contrasts

This exhibition was completed as part of the “Contemporary Linkages” project implemented by Shababeek for Contemporary Art, the cultural department of the General Union of Cultural Centres (GUCC), which continued between 27 until 31 July 2019.

From the introduction of the exhibition’s catalogue: Contemplative Contrasts “Gaza Art”

Since its establishment, the General Union of Cultural Centers (GUCC) has worked on implementing many activities and events that aim to develop the capabilities of cultural and artistic practitioners. And seeks to strengthen the role of member institutions to achieve their intended goals, represented in the creation of a nurturing environment for a national culture that forms human consciousness and maintains its distinct identity, hence, creating a collaborative and interactive space with other communities and promoting the concept of collaboration.

GUCC has worked in all fields to promote the cultural and artistic scene in the Gaza Strip based on its vision and mission, which is individual-centric. Through this approach, one can achieve all community aspirations in regard to freedom, justice and equality. We would have not reached this level without the collaborative efforts between the member institutions and their teams and artistic cadres, who have enriched the visual art scene. GUCC has invested in these cadres and organized a major art workshop in 2003 with 45 participating artists. These artists produced hundreds of paintings that were examined and sold in Jerusalem, in order to support the artists and encourage them to continue and develop. The work of the GUCC continued until the establishment of Shababeek for Contemporary Art that was credited as the Arts Department of GUCC. Shababeek has provided an open space for the talented and has become a well-known name through its distinguished staff of young artists.

The national institutions with their cultural artistic communities are considered key partners in social development, promoting culture within the context of sustainable development, in addition to, the ability to highlight strengths, thus; granting them with developmental policies for the creative scene with a vision and boundaries that maintain diversity. This was manifested in the exhibition, a unique artistic demonstration entitled: “Contemplative Contrasts ‘Gaza Art’ within the project “Contemporary Linkages”.

We are standing now in front of a large group of visual artists with their work that was produced during events, workshops, art residencies and production grants implemented during the course of the project “Contemporary Linkages”. Here we cannot but congratulate all the participating artists despite our understanding of their great needs and the lack of resources. However, the efforts put towards producing this artistic demonstration that contributes in the creation of contemporary visual contrasts, shed light on the strengths of Palestinian artists, in addition to the extent of their ability to innovate and propose alternatives and realistic modalities that are commensurate with the advancement of the contemporary visual art scene with its cultural foundations. Further, the effort has helped in finding artistic spaces that aim to restore all the communities’ components and their active contribution to the advancement of the cultural act, strengthening the creative presence, the ability to develop and discover creative talents, and guiding the artists’ discourse towards collective awareness in advancing the cultural and artistic scenes based on contemporary foundations.

To view the full catalogue, please Click here