Hussein al-Jerjawi is a young Palestinian artist from the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. Working primarily in drawing and portraiture, he captures everyday life, human experiences, and the realities of war in the Gaza Strip. He creates art under extremely difficult conditions, amid conflict, destruction, and a severe shortage of art supplies.
Inspired by the Palestinian art movement New Visions, al-Jerjawi sees art as a way to express the experience of living under occupation while preserving Palestinian identity and collective memory. One of his main influences is Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour, particularly his approach to portraying Palestine’s political and social realities through art.
With art supplies scarce and expensive in Gaza, al-Jerjawi turns to alternative materials to create his work. Instead of traditional painting canvases, he used empty flour sacks distributed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Using wall paint, pencils, and pens, he creates portraits and compositions that document the everyday realities of his community.
Al-Jerjawi’s work highlights the close connection between art and survival, showing how artistic expression can endure even in the face of scarcity and uncertainty. Through his art, he draws attention to the experiences of civilians in Gaza and the vital role art plays in documenting history and preserving collective memory.