New art exhibition raising money for Gaza opens in Glasgow

A NEW art exhibition raising money for Gaza has officially opened in Glasgow.

The exhibition, organised by Glasgow Artists for Palestine, opened at Glasgow Central Mosque on Wednesday.

It features the work of eight different local artists, with pieces ranging from posters, pastel paintings, tote bags and T-shirts.

(Image: NQ) All the artwork on display is available to purchase, with the proceeds going to various charities and organisations providing direct aid in Gaza.

One of the stalls is the Flower Tribute for Palestine, which began as an event at Glasgow's Buchanan Steps, where people would lay flowers in support of the Palestinian people.

The poster advertising the event has now become its own work of art, being sold on a variety of mediums at the exhibition.

(Image: NQ) The artist behind the poster, Sarah Nasser, said that she was inspired by Palestine's own natural landscape.

"Palestine has a really beautiful botanical landscape that's slowly being eradicated," she told The National, pointing towards the abundance of olives and strawberries which grow in the region.

One of the posters features a strawberry plant, which Nasser explained was a nod towards the Beit Lahiya region of Gaza, where people used to own big strawberry farms.

(Image: NQ) While the strawberries were one of the biggest imports in Gaza at the time, they have since become a vital source of food for Palestinians amid the genocide, where civilians are now growing the fruit as one of their only sources of sustenance.

"Something that was one of their biggest imports ended up being one of their only chances of survival," Nasser added.

Lindsay Taylor (Image: NQ) Lindsay Taylor (above), one of the individuals behind the flower tribute, added: "This [exhibition] is one of the ways that people can support and also raise funds at the same time.

"It's one of the ways that individuals who are maybe not so confident in going to a rally or doing other actions can come along and still feel that they're doing their bit to end the genocide and to stand with the people of Palestine."

All of the proceeds from the Flower Tribute for Palestine stall goes directly towards village communities in East Khan Younis, where it is more difficult for people to access aid.

Another artist contributing to the exhibition, Sadia Sikander, said she felt she had "no choice" but to use her skills as an artist to raise awareness.

Her work features the watermelon, which has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestine, alongside depictions of the Palestinian flag and the keffiyeh.

Sadia Sikander (Image: NQ) Other artists focus on motifs such as olive trees, which symbolise Palestinian resilience, livelihood and connection to their land.

Louise Malone's artwork has a strong focus on olives. The proceeds from her stall will go to Doctors for Gaza (Image: NQ) Caroline Wardle, another artist featured in the exhibition, is selling various pastel prints, including one of the so-called "Hampden Hero", a pro-Palestine activist who chained himself to a goalpost during a Scotland v Israel closed-door game last year.

'Hampden Hero' pictured on the bottom-left, wearing a 'Red Card for Israel' T-shirt (Image: NQ)

The full list of artists at the exhibition is:

• Amanda Adler
• Caroline Wardle
• Flower Tribute (designed by Sarah Nasser)
• Jessie Blakeborough
• Louise Malone
• Louise McVey
• Sarah Donde
• Sadia Sikander

The exhibition is open from Wednesday until Friday between 11am and 6pm at Glasgow Central Mosque's Function Hall. The exhibition operates on a cash-only basis.

More information can be found here.