Fragments of Palestine is an exhibition featuring four Palestinian artists who come together to explore and express what it means to be Palestinian. Some were raised in Ireland, while others relocated there, each bringing a unique perspective on their connection to their homeland. Through self-portraits, videos, illustrations, and snapshots, the artists not only reflect on their identity but also on the struggles they face—whether living in exile or enduring the challenges of life in Palestine. Their works offer a powerful narrative of resilience, displacement, and the complexities of their shared heritage.

Featured artists: Rafah Aburideh, Sanaa El Habbash, Manal Mahamid, Múnla X RAZAN

Rahaf Aburideh

This self-portrait project revolves around portraying myself in the historical landscapes of Ireland, dressed in traditional Palestinian women’s attire, known as thobes. Though the photoshoot was originally envisioned to take place in my hometown Gaza, the unforeseen events of the ongoing genocide and bombardment meant I was no longer able to travel to Gaza, nor was it safe to do so, which led me to pivot my focus to Ireland, where my Palestinian and Irish roots converge. Through this project I aim to intertwine my Irish background with my personal narrative involving the rich cultural heritage of Palestinian women, symbolised by the thobe. By photographing myself in iconic Irish landmarks, I seek to create a visual dialogue between my Palestinian identity and the historical backdrop of Ireland. This project serves as a tribute to the resilience and to interconnectedness of cultures, bridging the gap between Palestine and Ireland while celebrating the enduring spirit of Palestinian women.

The project’s original goals and objectives focused on using photography to document the process of making tatreez, which is a form of traditional Palestinian embroidery commonly used to make thobes, and the talent that goes into developing Palestinian clothes, with a focus on capturing the entire process. The initiative also sought to highlight the cultural value and legacy that were carefully preserved in each seam and design of the garments. However, the project’s course changed as a result of the war on Gaza and my personal struggle in seeing cousins killed, relatives displaced into makeshift tents and family homes bombed and wiped out. This led to modifications to the original plans, like moving the location of the project from Gaza to Ireland, and highlighting the beauty of Palestinian clothing against Ireland’s scenic landscapes, merging both identities together. The core goals of this project, which included respecting Palestinian culture, preserving history as we witness the ethnic cleansing of my people in Gaza, and creating a visual story, remained intact in spite of these adjustments. The project changed as a result of the volatile global situation, exhibiting inventiveness, malleability and resiliency in the face of difficulty.

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Sanaa El Habbash

‘My name is Sanaa El Habbash and I’m an Irish-Palestinian graphic designer specialising in UX design. Many of my personal projects focus on Palestinian food, Palestinian culture, and Palestinian stories. My work has become increasingly focused on the overshadowed beauty of Palestine. With the ongoing difficulties faced by Palestinians on a daily basis, it’s easy to forget about the amazing people, stories, and traditions. As a member of the Palestinian diaspora, my goal as an artist is to share stories of strength that comes with hardship in a beautiful way which reflects the stories themselves.’

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Manal Mahamid

Mahamid (1976) is a conceptual multidisciplinary Palestinian artist based in Haifa and Dublin since 2020. She was born in “Moawia”, a Palestinian village. She earned her MFA from the University of Haifa in 2006, which was made possible through a scholarship of excellence from the university. She received a degree in Museology and Curation from the University of Tel Aviv four years later. Mahamid works across multiple mediums, including sculpture, video, installation, painting, and photography. A.M Qattan Young Artist shortlisted Mahamid for the A.M Qattan Young Artist of the Year Award in 2002. She is a recipient of the 2007 Delfina Foundation’s Resident Artist Award as part of the Riwaq Biennale, a collaboration between the Delfina Foundation and the A.M. Qattan Foundation. Her work has been part of several exhibitions in London, Chicago, Cairo, Dusseldorf, Haifa, Ramallah, Um El Fahim, Jericho in over 50 group exhibitions. She has also exhibited her work as part of the Qalandiya International Festival in 2014, and 2016, organised by the Arab Culture Association in Haifa. Her solo exhibitions include “The Tale of a Gazelle”, 2016, and “work in progress”.

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Razan Hammad

‘I was born (1999) and have lived my entire life in Palestine, specifically in Gaza. I am characterised by ambition and a passion for continuous learning. From a young age, I had a great curiosity to explore the world around me, whether through reading, interacting with others, or trying new experiences. This curiosity has nurtured in me a deep passion for seeking knowledge and developing myself both personally and professionally. I grew up in an environment filled with events and wars, where I was always surrounded by danger. Through the encouragement of my family and teachers, I developed a love for learning and skill development. During my studies, I was passionate about art and programming subjects, and I had a special interest in reading, which helped broaden my intellectual horizons and understand different cultures.

Throughout my journey, I discovered many hobbies that became an integral part of my life. Among these hobbies are [drawing and Palestinian dabke]. These activities were not only a source of entertainment but also a way to develop new skills. I began working on drawing fantasy characters at the age of 18 and progressed into motion graphics. Then, in 2021, I started working in animation. I advanced in my field and began offering training courses in freelancing, animation, character design, and graphic design, achieving great success. For example, practicing [drawing] helped me work in the field of animation for short films. I believe in the importance of contributing to improving the lives of others. I dream of making a positive impact in the world. I always aspire to excel in my field and continuously work on developing myself through learning and experience. I believe that success is not just about achieving material or professional goals but also about the ability to continue personal growth and development.

To achieve my future goals, I work hard to develop my skills, whether through academic learning or gaining practical experience. I believe in several values that form the foundation of my life, including commitment, respect, and honesty. These values help me maintain healthy and productive relationships with others, whether colleagues at work or friends. I believe that dealing with others with transparency and respect is the key to success, both personally and professionally.’

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