Windows into Gaza

The ‘Windows into Gaza’ illustrates the best of painting and photography from Gaza, Palestine, showing a side of Gaza not commonly known, the side of a people with a deep cultural heritage, full of innovation, hope and peace.

The exhibition opens on Thursday May 29 from 6pm- 7.30pm and continues to Monday, June 16.

Irish painter Felim Egan has exhibited widely across Europe with 54 solo exhibitions since 1979, including major shows at the lrish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

In 1981 he represented Ireland at the Xie Biennale de Paris and in 1985 at the San Paulo Bienal. In 1993 he won the prestigious UNESCO prize in Paris, and in 1995 the Premiere Prize at Cagnes-sur-Mer.

His work hangs in numerous public collections including the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin; the Ulster Museum, Belfast; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the collection of the European Parliament. Major Commissions include; Dublin Castle; National Gallery of Ireland: O’Reilly Hall, UCD; Meeting House Square, Temple Bar; Pavilion Theatre, Dunlaoghaire; City Quay Building, Dublin; New Providence Wharf, London, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Felim has travelled extensively in the Middle East, giving support for the education of children, living in refugee camps in the Lebanon, visiting camps near to the Israeli border, and near the Golan Heights.

Upon visiting the El-Alwee camp in Sidon, he was moved to set up a project to support the camp with help from artist friends. Three other artists, Robert Ballagh, Guggi and Pat Harris, helped Felim to produce a series of four prints and received great support from the people of Ireland. He participated in the Flotilla movement in 2011, attempting to break the illegal sea blockade into Gaza, which resulted in eight days in an Israeli prison.

With greater determination he visited Gaza in late January 2013 with the intention of meeting various civil society strands, sport, fishing, emergency services and the arts.

With the artist group ‘Windows from Gaza’ he visited and participated in a children’s art workshop, and his first encounters with artists from Gaza, Palestine was through an organization ‘Windows for Contemporary Art’.

“I was very impressed by the high quality of the artwork and moved by the strong commitment, energy and spirit of the artists involved” Felim Egan said.

“The work is of the highest quality, given the lack of proper materials, it exceeds in its excellence and strength. From the bright colour and form of the painting to the disturbing yet evocative photography of Shareef Sarhan.

“This face of Gaza is missing, an aspect that almost nobody knows. Art can show the side of tragedy in Gaza. However through its deep culture, paintings, photography, literature and music, can illustrate the spirit of life, a deep reflective side one of innovation and enlightenment. I believe this gesture to highlight an aspect of cultural life in Gaza is a wonderful opportunity, and inspiration for Ireland and Palestine. To demonstrate how the arts can rise above and bring hope beyond the darkness.”

The ‘Windows into Gaza’ Exhibition opens on Thursday May 29 from 6pm- 7.30pm and continues to Monday, June 16. All are welcome. For more information contact The Playhouse on (028)72268027 or visit www.derryplayhouse.co.uk.