Reflections Initiative – For Young Artists

The Reflections program is a cultural initiative aimed at supporting young Palestinian artists by providing a creative platform to explore and document archaeological and historical sites in Palestine.

The program seeks to enhance engagement with Palestinian heritage, inviting artists to visit, paint, and photograph these sites, contributing to the appreciation of their beauty and cultural significance. A planned exhibition will showcase these artworks to introduce and highlight these locations.

The Reflections initiative brings together artists, each employing different tools and techniques in their artwork, in various cultural sites. Every painter expresses architectural heritage through their unique perspective, capturing its elements from a distinctive angle and reflecting them on their canvas in a way that aligns with their artistic vision. Each artwork carries a unique imprint, translating the impact of architecture on the artist and their interpretation, allowing viewers to experience buildings and cultural details from different and diverse perspectives.

Reflections Initiative in the City of Jericho

The Nabi Musa Shrine

The initiative was launched on Thursday, 7/11/2024, in the city of Jericho, bringing together a group of artists from different regions of Palestine. The first day of the initiative coincided with the completion of restoration work at the Nabi Musa Shrine, creating a beautiful scene as artists painted the shrine, reflecting it on their canvases while welcoming visitors and marking the conclusion of the restoration efforts.

After the event concluded on Thursday, 7/11/2024, the artists headed to Qasr al-Nakheel to stay overnight and continue the initiative the following day.

Hisham's Palace

The initiative continued into Friday, 12/11/2024, as the artists set out in the morning to Hisham’s Palace. There, they took a short tour of the site, allowing them to observe the palace from different angles and immerse themselves in its atmosphere, feeding their imagination to accurately reflect the location in their artwork.

At the end of the visit, each artist was given a set of painting tools and a blank canvas, with the task of depicting heritage sites from their own hometowns, capturing their cultural essence through their unique artistic perspectives.

Reflections Initiative in Hebron

In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture in Hebron, Sharek Youth Forum, the Hanin Plastic Arts Forum, and the Palestinian Child Arts Center, young artists were invited to participate in the Artistic Reflections initiative within the Old City of Hebron. This initiative specifically targeted youth from Hebron and its surrounding areas.

The initiative was launched on Monday, 9/12/2024, and continued for two days. Artists from various areas of Hebron gathered in the Old City, where they explored its architectural heritage and landmarks before beginning their artwork, capturing the cultural essence of the historic town.

Reflections Initiative in Nablus

The Reflections journey did not stop in Hebron but continued to the city of Nablus, reaching its Old City—one of the most historic and culturally rich areas in Palestine. There, artist and guide Basel Katana led the participants on an educational tour through the alleys of the Old City, sharing stories and insights about its history and unique architectural details. This tour provided the artists with deep knowledge and inspiration, which was reflected in their artwork.

After the tour, the artists settled in a designated spot within the Old City, where each began working on their paintings, capturing the intricate details of the place—from its stone-paved pathways to its ornate windows and historic arches. The initiative in Nablus lasted only one day, yet it was enough to produce a collection of artworks that artistically express the city’s cultural and heritage essence from a fresh and creative perspective.

Reflections Initiative in Ni’lin

In Ni’lin, the initiative took place at Al-Khawaja Castle, one of the town’s prominent historical landmarks. This castle is part of the Qura Al-Karasi fortresses, which historically collected taxes and revenues on behalf of the Ottoman state. Estimated to be around 300 years old, the castle served as a unique gathering place for artists, each utilizing different tools and techniques to express their artistic vision of its cultural architecture.

The participating artists painted and photographed the castle from various angles, with each artwork carrying a distinct imprint that reflects the artist’s interpretation and the impact of the historic site on their creative perspective.

Conclusion

The Reflections initiative aims to highlight and preserve Palestine’s architectural heritage, especially in light of the ongoing threats posed by the occupation, which seeks to take control of many of these historical sites. To ensure comprehensive coverage of as many areas as possible, the initiative was designed to provide each artist with two canvases—one to depict the site they were visiting and another to illustrate the architectural heritage of their own hometown. This approach allowed for a diverse artistic representation, as the participating artists were carefully selected from various regions.

This initiative was coordinated by Lara Yasin under the supervision of Sara Anbar and Bader Zamareh.