Source: Artbreakers and SJP
The Artbreakers and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) will be hosting a “Hope for Gaza” Art Exhibit on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The exhibit will be held in the Art Gallery of Saint Xavier University’s Visual Arts Center (VAC).
Yasmin A., who serves as the President of Artbreakers and the Secretary of SJP, stated that the inspiration for the exhibit stemmed from the events currently occurring in Gaza. “It became my duty to speak out against ethnic cleansing and genocide, urging individuals to stand for what is right and call for a permanent ceasefire” she voiced.
She added that other universities such as “UIC’s Students for Justice in Palestine have organized art gallery shows to shed light on the truth behind the situation in Palestine, using visual expressions to tell stories.”
Since Oct. 7, roughly 85% of the 2.4 million people living in Gaza have been displaced, according to an article from The Guardian. The article notes that “others are living in crowded private apartments, makeshift camps, under plastic sheeting pegged to poles on wasteland, or even on roads.”
“At least 23,469 Palestinians have been killed and 59,604 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health” as of Jan. 20.
Over 25 pieces of various mediums were submitted for the exhibit, including: physical art, videography, photography, comic art, paintings, typography, and digital art, among other forms.
A. added that the submitted pieces covered topics “from individuals’ family histories in pre-occupied Palestine to addressing media propaganda, the silence surrounding the genocide, and the Palestinian community.”
Pieces submitted were required to abstain from using “excessively graphic or shocking imagery, as such entries will not be considered” according to SJP’s Instagram post which detailed the submission process and requirements.
This exhibit is among many student-led events to take place on the university’s campus to call attention to the genocide occuring in Gaza. Prior events include: three campus demonstrations, a vigil for Palestine, Palestine 101, and the on-going Resistance Week wherein SJP encouraged members of the university community to wear any items associated with Palestine, such as Keffiyehs and Tatreez, to express their solidarity.
The “Hope for Gaza” Art Exhibit will provide attendees with visual insights and a better understanding of the events occurring in Gaza according to A.
“It serves as a platform to capture the attention of those who may be uninformed or neutral, enabling them to comprehend real stories and the horrifying genocide in Palestine, where media is siding with oppressors rather than the oppressed. This show allows for individuals to use their voices to spread awareness of disparity in Palestine” clarified A.
In order to get the exhibit approved, a written plan of action was crafted alongside the opening of submissions to the SXU university community and university alumni in discussion with Art Gallery Director Catherine Ruggie-Saunders. Concerns regarding jury selection, installation, as well as other crucial details for the show were solved in collaboration with Ruggie-Saunders.
Prior to the Artbreakers and SJP “Hope for Gaza” Art Exhibit, the Art Gallery hosted the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit, which was put on by Start by Believing (SBB).
“The ‘Start by Believing’ group was the first RSO (to my knowledge) that asked if they could host an exhibit in the VAC Gallery,” stated Ruggie-Saunders.
Ruggie-Saunders noted that there are currently no exhibits placed in the Art Gallery in order to prepare “the walls and lighting for the installation of ‘Hope for Gaza’.”
SJP and Artbreakers originally accepted submissions from Nov. 8 until Jan. 8 through a Google Form located in SJP’s Instagram bio, however the submission period was extended to Jan. 17 in order to accommodate late submissions.
The submission form has since closed due to the upcoming exhibition date of Feb. 7.
“Students for Justice in Palestine and Artbreakers are thrilled to present an exhibition aimed at bringing attention to the tragic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. We encourage everyone to attend and gain new insights into this distressing issue” finished A.
The SXU VAC, which will house the “Hope for Gaza” Art Exhibit, is located in the university’s surrounding neighborhood of Mt. Greenwood.
About Post Author
