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A GROUP of Bahraini artists has come together to support victims in war-stricken Palestine through unique creations that are being sold at multiple cafes today (April 11) and tomorrow, the proceeds of which will be donated to a local campaign supporting the cause.
‘Stickers for Gaza’ is a joint initiative by Amana Creative Collective, a community-based platform, fostering art and social programmes for humanitarian causes, and Al Shifaa, a team of five young volunteers who are raising funds for the Gaza Revival campaign.
Creative talents Maryam Abdulla, Tamadher Al Fahal, Ali Al Shaikh, Fatima Al Saad, Samah Husain, Moe Mudara, and Sarah Baqer, who are part of the collective, are bringing the project alive with artistic stickers that evoke solidarity for the cause through striking visuals and words.
Maryam, 37, is an interior design consultant and has been volunteering on social and educational projects for 15 years; Tamadher, 37, is a curator and assistant professor at the University of Bahrain; Ali, 36, is an operations manager; Fatima, 40, is an educator and writer; Samah, 41, is an architect; Moe, 40, is a graphic designer; and Sarah, 44, is a marketing and communications manager.
“The first phase of our humanitarian efforts are focused on Palestine, for which we have already conducted a series of events. ‘Stickers for Gaza’ is the latest one and we’re happy to be collaborating with Al Shifaa for this,” Tamadher, who along with Maryam, Fatima, Maha Al Sahhaf and Ramah Al Husseini, founded Amana Creative Collective, told GulfWeekly.
Al Shifaa is participating in the Gaza Revival campaign with Palestine Support Society, which was established back in 2002 to support the cause and raise awareness about Palestine’s history and struggle.
“We have created multiple initiatives, from donations in cash and kind to other collaborative arrangements like ‘Stickers for Gaza’,” an Al Shifaa representative added.
The stickers with their eye-catching art and vibrant colours have aesthetic value. But that’s not the only idea behind the designs. They also incorporate visuals representing the country’s rich history and culture, popular symbols like the watermelon, and words that evoke emotion, sensitising collectors to the Palestinian cause.
“I have worked on postage stamps, showcasing the areas that have been stolen from Palestinians by combining their original names, their famous fruits and plants... The stamps are dated for this year which also signifies hope of a liberated Palestine,” Tamadher revealed.
Maryam’s designs incorporate motivational words in English and Arabic like the phrase ‘From the river to the sea’, supporting the Palestinian cause.
Artists Ali and Fatima collaborated on two artworks that blend the unique aesthetic of collages and the charm of poetry. Ali used mixed media, which is interspaced with excerpts from Fatima’s poems. ‘Even as bombs fall down on us we are surrounded by light/ Even as our blood floods the ground our memories rise and fight’ can be seen on Oracle, which is inspired by journalists who risk too much to bring us true stories.
Samah and Moe came on board this initiative with a series of digital illustrations that incorporate and highlight important facts and dates like Land Day, which is observed on March 30 in honour of Palestinians who have died in the struggle to hold onto their lands and identity.
Sarah’s series of hand-drawn illustrations in watercolour and ink showcase the colours of the Palestinian flag. She has also used digital graphics, and words that express hope and resistance.
“As a mother of four this subject has become incredibly important to me. We go through our daily lives feeling the pain of every suffering mother and child and art comes to rescue us,” she added.
The stickers are available at Goodness, Makeshop, Roast Coffee Roastery, Crust and Crema (in Zinj and Seef), and Paper Cup (Diplomatic area). All the proceeds support the Gaza Revival campaign.
For more details follow @alshifaa_team and @we.are.amana on Instagram.
