A Palestinian-created art installation that captures the current state of Gaza.
Strung delicately from the Venetian beams, hang thinly cottoned strips of cloth displaying the most heart-wrenching art tapestries. The exhibition Gaza – No Words – See the Exhibit, is a simple original concept in which Palestinian women took a needle and began to sew the scenes of famine and genocide into frail pieces of fabric. As I stood in front of the art with tears in my eyes, I couldn’t help but try and swallow the gut-wrenching feeling that the choice of material was, in fact, a metaphor in itself.
This powerful exhibition has been curated by:
Faisal Saleh, Jehan Alfarra, Jan Chalmers, Ibrahim Muhtadi.
With exhibitor credit to Ricamatrici Palestinesi…
Held at a beautiful venue, Palazzo Mora, Cannaregio 3659, Strada Nova.
October 7th, 2023, a war of injustice and cruelty. A genocide of innocent Palestinians and civillians, bombed and murdered. These cruel realities have been photographed, taking inspiration from the subjects sewn onto the fabric. These stories have been specifically assembled through embroidered panels, because I believe art speaks to the heart. And no media outlet, no person in power, or anyone can attempt to diminish what is happening in Gaza.
I stood in the room, firmly pressing my feet onto the tiled floor, and was disgusted that the scenes on the tapestry wasn’t my initial exposure to the photographs that it replicated. I walked around the room thinking, I’ve seen this image on my Instagram feed. I recognised the name on the white placard underneath, describing who is deceased. I even recognise the face of the little girl who has been sewn into the tapestry in the back right. I can’t describe the heartbreak I felt walking around that room. We really are watching a live-streamed genocide through our phone screens.
Each artwork had a title, in which it described the inspiration behind the piece, or should I say, the replication of the image they decided to sew. The needlework was impeccable, representing what it looks like standing in front of a slightly pixelated image. Maybe this medium was meant to carry out that outcome: a slightly blurred representation of reality, critiquing modern society. We see these raw images online and almost become desensitised, or it’s so graphic that we completely block ourselves from viewing it. But what an ignorant choice we have to make to do that, to simply block and hide all graphic imagery coming out of scenes of genocide and famine. Do we not look at it from a point of protection within ourselves? Does reality hurt too much?
I believe these images have been recreated through a tapestry to force the likes of me and others to stare into it. Because why do you need to look away? These tapestries are needle threads onto cotton, simply patchwork. Spectators can stare right into the barrel of these harrowing images, and that’s why this exhibition is so well thought-out.
Crushed at the Soup Kitchen
I can hear the shrieking cries in my head as I stare at a child clinging onto a steel pot, being crushed amongst other famished children, trying to push for food. Looking at this artwork, I didn’t even need to read the description underneath it. I knew that Israel imposed a blockade that severely restricted the food and humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Heavily relying on community kitchens to feed millions of starving Palestinians, resulting in their population of two million people starving.
Press
Red thread carefully sewn to represent the bullet wounds and drips of blood from a bulletproof vest worn by over 210 journalists who have been targeted inside Gaza. The card underneath states that “Israel has killed more journalists than any nation on record, with 2025 marking the deadliest year ever documented for media workers globally”.
These are just a couple of tapestries that were so prevalent, and still are, in representing the realities of what is happening inside Gaza.
If you ever have the blessing to go to this exhibition in Venice, I truly recommend it. Although, do not let the location stop you. Research the exhibition, digitally view the tapestries, and stare into the art that has been crafted from the atrocities and unjust killings that happen inside Gaza today.
Another article you might like – https://thebadgeronline.com/2026/10/fire-hoses-buckyballs-and-a-stuffed-moose-sussex-library-lets-its-secrets-out-of-the-box/
