Painting Through Genocide: Nada's Journey as a Palestinian Artist from Gaza

Since the start of the genocidal war in Gaza, my people and I have been living through various forms of suffering, forced to endure and feel it because of the Israeli occupation. Drawing has been my only companion, as it has been since I was a little girl.

My artistic journey began when I was five years old. I grew up in a supportive family that provided me with everything I needed to continue painting. My paintings at that time spoke of love, peace, life, and hope. While I was still painting, life turned upside down on October 7, 2023, when the genocidal war in Gaza began.

I am Nada Rajab, a Palestinian artist and survivor of the genocidal war in Gaza. I am a third-year student in the Faculty of Engineering and Intelligent Systems. I was born in Gaza and have lived a life intertwined with art and aggression in my city. I am 22 years old, and through my colors and short stories, I have documented the pain of my homeland and the dreams of my city's children under the barrage of missiles. I was an eyewitness to the genocidal war in Gaza. My city, Gaza, is a living memory, transforming ashes into vibrant works of art. I created over 300 pieces during two years of devastation. This art was born amidst the streets of refugee camps and shelters, under bombardment, with unwavering determination and a spirit that refuses to be just another statistic in the war's death toll.

I recently lit my 22nd birthday candle on October 18, 2025, with unwavering faith that the future will be bright. I am not only a survivor, but also a wonderful art instructor for children.

I believe that art is not a luxury, but a means of survival. Through it, I carry a message to the entire world: to keep the voice of Gaza alive and undimmed, not to escape, but to survive. Through my paintings, I transform pain into art and rubble into a message. Even if I must die, I refuse to be just a number!

Amidst those circumstances, I embarked on my "Art from the Rubble" project, sponsored by The Hands Up Project. I can't describe my joy when I began developing the project plan.

I started planning in August 2025 and held my first preparatory sessions in September. Then, I launched various activities with the students, and the number of activities has now exceeded 40 (as of January 3, 2026). This is truly the most wonderful thing that has happened to me.

My life has been profoundly impacted by working on the "Art from the Rubble" project. Since then, I've used art as a form of spiritual therapy for myself and my students to overcome the trauma of the recent war in Gaza.

I was so happy to have brought smiles to the children's faces. Despite the difficult circumstances I faced at the beginning, the sparkle in their smiles was a true motivation for me to continue. To this day, I've been able to bring genuine smiles to the faces of over 100 children through art in my activities.

It's important to note that every activity I've conducted has left a real impact on me, on my creative young students, and on everyone involved.

Regarding the beginning of my activities with the children: It took me more than two weeks to build complete trust with the children so they could express their feelings and pour them onto the materials we use as art supplies, such as fabric, stones, nylon, and paper. At first, the children drew random lines, reflecting their lack of self-confidence. Some even drew only flowers initially. They were unable to express themselves safely, and I was able to accept this naturally since it was their first time attending art sessions. I began building the children's self-confidence through well-researched, scientific methods. I started my sessions by telling the children from our very first meeting that they didn't need to be artists to draw! I told them that everything we do is art in one way or another. I enhanced their dialogue and idea-sharing skills. We held long brainstorming sessions, told stories, wrote stories, talked about ourselves, and did many other activities that strengthened my bond with my children. I wasn't just present in person; I was also present online by organizing art groups on WhatsApp. I encouraged everyone, and I still do. Their skills and passion for art have developed incredibly! I remember one parent (the mother of one of the children) contacting me and telling me that her son, Abdullah, had become a calm person who draws all the time and keeps up with his studies, even though he had been forced to drop out of school because his school was bombed. She told me that her son used to spend his time playing in the street with the neighborhood children. Since he started attending art sessions with me, he has become a calm and remarkable person and has recently returned to his studies so he can make a difference in the future of his city! This is one of the observations that prompted me to inquire with all the parents about their children's progress after their sessions in my "Art from the Rubble" project and my art training sessions. Everyone noticed a significant change in their children, a remarkably positive and wonderful transformation, and I am so happy about its impact!

I also remember eight teenage girls whose time management changed. Instead of wasting hours browsing the internet aimlessly, they became interested in art, such as sculpting, and spent hours researching how to practice art!

They were a truly remarkable group, and I accomplished a tremendous number of activities with them in the heart of the Gaza Strip!

The psychological impact of my art sessions on my students has been lasting and continuous to this day!

Even after my recent displacement, I continue to connect with my students online.

The emotional challenge I faced was that while I could interpret each child's artwork, it was difficult to clearly explain that all my young students were suffering from severe psychological trauma without realizing it. This is a difficult thing that constantly reminds me of the importance of continuing to practice art with them so they can express themselves. I could use art with them as a wonderful therapy for acute trauma... I didn't have a fixed location to conduct my art activities and teach my students. Instead, I went to the students and collected the...