David
And Goliath: Palestinian Artist Spreads Hope
By Ramzy Baroud
27 September, 2007
Countercurrents.org
When one commits to the life
of an active citizen, spending their hours days and years reading and
writing about current events, it becomes a daily struggle to overcome
the cynicism that chases after you with the despairing headlines marking
each newspaper or magazine. Rare is it when someone or something comes
along to revive the feelings of courage, tenacity and wilfulness of
the young and hopeful activist.
In my office, hanging above
the fireplace in conspicuous view from any part of the room is a large
print of Rana Ghassan’s "David and Goliath". It has
been placed in a strategic location, where beholding it daily is unavoidable.
I am forced to study the foreboding danger portrayed as soldiers gather
in the distant dust. I must consider that the young faceless boy in
the work stands with no barricade to protect him, no riot gear, armoured
vehicle, just a worn-out cotton t-shirt and a steadfastness that can
move mountains.
With a hearty clutch on a
handful of stones, his only weapon, the bulging veins and blanched knuckles
convey an uncommon strength that so fluently and completely relays the
history of the Palestinian struggle. It is not a message of victimization,
weakness and pity. Yes, it does speak of adversity, injustice, but also
of empowerment and the will to rise above wrong. If there is any notion
that Palestinians would wish to relay, it is this; that their fight
is not born of weakness and pity, but of brazen determination and guts.
Ghassan is an ambassador in her own right, and has, in my opinion, conveyed
this message impeccably.
"David and Goliath"
reflects a symphony of emotions. She masterfully brings together elements
of accurate drawing, mood coloration, and phenomenal composition, capturing
subtle emotions sometimes hidden within a live scene or photograph,
and expresses the struggle of life under oppression in an inspiring
light of courage and struggle.
One of her many strengths
is that Ghassan focuses on the positive emotions of a negative scene.
Some artists who choose to focus on Palestinian themes concentrate on
the oppressors, which results in morbid, dark, and although very powerful
and remarkable, nonetheless gloomy scenes. She believes that history
has shown us that it is our darkest hours, which provide us with the
contrasting background for the brightest light of hope and inspiration.
Clearly, this idea is captured
in her work.
Recent months have sadly
also shown a less dignified side of the Palestinian cause. With infighting
and internal politics so divisive that the real essence of struggle
is eroded, Ghassan's also provides a painful and abrupt reminder of
the real heroes in this struggle. It is the poor, the disenfranchised
and more, the youth of Palestine that keep the authentic and true struggle
alive. I believe that Ghassan, through this intensely meaningful portrait,
not only exposes the outside enemy, but the failure of the Palestinian
leadership as well, for it is not politicians, ministers and the like
that brave the occupying army, but a boy in the springtime of his youth
who stands in his people's defence.
I am so thankful for Rana
Ghassan, for her genius, dedication and commitment to documenting this
struggle in such a beautiful way. The pride and hope that screams from
each canvas forces one to renew their commitment somehow, to reconsider
their place in this unshakable struggle with each thoughtful gaze. I
am certain that Ghassan will be honoured for generations as one of the
most gifted Palestinian artists of our time.
-For more information visit
http://www.cafepress.com/ranaghassan
-Ramzy Baroud is an author
and editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His work has
been published in many newspapers and journals worldwide. His latest
book is The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People's Struggle
(Pluto Press, London). For more, visit his website: www.ramzybaroud.net
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