Art Exhibition Raises Funds for Gaza and Stands in Solidarity with Palestine

A new art exhibition titled RESISTANCE – Art for a Free Palestine is raising awareness and funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza and Palestine.

In addition to showcasing powerful artworks by Palestinian artists – some of whom are based in Gaza and the West Bank –guests of the show at LIMBO gallery in Margate can support two critical aid groups working on the ground. The exhibition and online auction are benefiting Gaza Sunbirds, a mutual aid charity established by Gaza’s para-cycling team to distribute essential resources within the South of the Gaza Strip祥sink; and Ghassan Abu Sittah’s Children’s Fund, which is dedicated to providing vital medical care for children in Gaza and Lebanon.

Art becomes a Form of Protest

The exhibition, established by the Margate-based group Thanet 4 Palestine, is more than just the display of art. It functions as a direct response to what its organizers perceive as unacceptable silence from mainstream cultural institutions.

Thanet 4 Palestine has previously engaged in several actions and protests, including occupying the prestigious Turner Contemporary gallery on three separate occasions. These protests sought to bring attention to what the group characterizes as the gallery’s “silence and complicity in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.”

The exhibition’s creators also directed an open letter to the Turner Contemporary, which was signed by over 700 artists, cultural workers, community members, and even Turner Prize winners. This letter highlighted the stark contrast between the gallery’s "swift and public solidarity" with Ukraine, immediately following Russia’s invasion, and its silence regarding the situation in Gaza.

It demanded that the gallery issue "a statement in support of the Palestinian people and against Israel’s blatant disregard for international and humanitarian law.”

Shining a Light on a Hidden Truth

A member of Thanet 4 Palestine explains that the genesis of the RESISTANCE exhibition was born from a desire to create both a space for critical artistic expression and a fundraiser solely centered on land that is underserved.

"A couple of us had been wanting a show for a while now, so we decided to just go for it," they shared. The exhibition runs until December 8th, with an ongoing online auction offering a way to support the cause.

They went on to express their disappointment with the overall response from the art world in regard to the situation in Gaza, highlighting connections to the Israeli state and to derermine.

"If you delve into it, the art world is actually quite dark. But it’s encouraging that we are starting to see an alternative art world of artists who don’t want to be a part of this. People are more willing to go against institutions, even though this can be really difficult,” they said.

“Some of the artists in the show have lost money, support and faced censorship this year because of their stance on Palestine, but they haven’t let that stop them. It’s brilliant to see so many people refusing to sell out."

The exhibition is open every day until December 8, 12–5pm, and a closing event will be held on Sunday, December 8, at 1pm (program to be announced). The artworks featured are available to buy now via online auction.

What‍ actions have Thanet 4 Palestine taken to draw attention to⁤ the Palestinian struggle?

**Interviewer:**⁤ Welcome to the show. Today we’re discussing a powerful new art ‌exhibition in⁣ Margate ⁣titled *RESISTANCE – Art for a Free‌ Palestine*. Joining us is [Guest Name], a member of Thanet 4 Palestine, the group behind this impactful event.⁢ Welcome.

**Guest:** Thank you for ⁢having me.

**Interviewer:** Can you tell us a little bit about the exhibition?

**Guest:** Certainly. RESISTENCE is more than just ⁢an art show; it’s a call to action. We’re showcasing⁢ powerful ‌works by Palestinian artists, some of whom‌ are based in ‍Gaza⁣ and the⁢ West Bank. Our goal is to raise both awareness and funds for crucial humanitarian aid in Gaza and Palestine.

**Interviewer:** And which organizations are⁢ benefitting from ⁣this exhibition?

**Guest:**‍ Proceeds from the exhibition and the online ‌auction will support ⁣two incredible organizations: Gaza Sunbirds, a mutual‌ aid charity providing essential resources in Gaza, and Ghassan Abu Sittah’s Children’s Fund, dedicated to providing vital medical care for children in Gaza​ and Lebanon.

**Interviewer:** It’s clear ⁣this exhibition is deeply connected to political issues. Can you ‌elaborate ⁤on the motivation behind it?

**Guest:** Thanet 4 ​Palestine was formed in ​direct response to what we perceive as the silence and complicity of mainstream cultural institutions ‍regarding ‌the Palestinian struggle.⁢ We’ve organized protests, including occupying the Turner Contemporary gallery on several occasions, to draw ⁤attention to this issue.

**Interviewer:** Why the focus on the Turner Contemporary gallery⁣ specifically?

**Guest:** ⁣The ⁣Turner Contemporary, despite their stated values, has yet to show the same level of solidarity with Palestinians that they’ve shown for other causes. We received support from over 700 ‍artists, cultural workers, and‍ even Turner Prize winners in signing an open letter to the⁢ gallery highlighting this hypocrisy.

**Interviewer:** What message do you hope visitors will take away from the *RESISTANCE* exhibition?

**Guest:**‌ We‌ hope visitors will ⁢not only appreciate the incredible​ artistry on display but also be moved to action. We⁢ need to continue raising awareness about the situation in ⁤Palestine⁣ and providing support to those affected. Art can be⁣ a powerful⁤ tool for change, and ​we hope ‍this exhibition will inspire people to make a difference.