The Gaza Chair: Revival takes shape through rubble and earth

AMMAN — “When a person’s home is destroyed, what’s there left to do?” The question that inspired chef-turned-artist Omar Sartawi to create his latest work — The Gaza Chair.اضافة اعلان

The sculpture reflects decades of Gazan displacement — a life under siege. The artist explained that the piece is a physical manifestation of the emotions one feels when they lose their home and are left only with debris.   

Every element used in the sculpture was intended to convey this idea. It creates a scene of despair using blocks of material scattered around the chair.

A collaboration between Sartawi and architect, Amer Abidi, the piece will be on display at Dar Art Fair in Amman between June 15 and July 5.

“We built a chair out of destruction,” said Sartawi, adding: “The idea was to use the elements of destruction in building the chair, because when a rocket hits a building, all you have left is concrete and rebar.”

“We wanted to turn the language of demolition into one of rebuilding and hope, especially because in Gaza, there are restrictions on the import of building material, where the people don't even have cement or iron to build with,” Sartawi explained.

Adding another layer to Sartawi and Abidi’s work, fellow artist, artist Mai Qadoura, hung sculpted pairs of hands around the chair, each one creating the shadow of a dove on the wall. 

But the most unusual aspect of the project was the components that came together to make the chair — eggplant and watermelon skin.

Watermelon has long been used as a symbol of pro-Palestinian activism. In 1967, after the Arab-Israeli War, the Israeli forces prohibited Palestinians from hoisting, waving or donning the Palestinian flag.

In resistance, Palestinian activists held up slices of watermelon as a representation of the flag’s red green and black flags.

The structure has been carefully crafted to express its message from every angle. Even its shadows are communicative.  “If you look at the chair from a specific angle, you will see the map of Palestine reflected on the wall,” Sartawi said.

The piece now resides at Dar Art Fair, a project coordinated by Rania Omeish and Dina Dabbas Rifai in Swefieh Village. The show brings together over 160 artists from Jordan and the Arab region. Entry into the exhibition is free.

Read more Trending