18th of October 2019

Digital Art Medium

On 17th of October, the first night of the Lebanese uprising, I witnessed the anger of the people who took to the streets, voicing their dissent against the corruption of the Lebanese political system. Within hours of movement, the video of Malak kicking the bodyguard of a Lebanese politician went viral online. 

As an artist in diaspora who couldn’t be physically present with the youth on the street, I felt I should participate in the way that I could: through the mediums that I love, Art and Design. Spontaneously, I began to create with the desire to embody Malak’s strength and bravery. Instead of using the cliche colors of the revolution- the Lebanese national colors, I chose to employ vibrant and warm colors in the foreground, and their complementary cold colors in the background. I used her iconic image and a title, “Strike Back”.

I noted the how social media played an important role in the dissemination of the people’s resistance, so I added the “Heart” which represents a “Like” on social media to affirm the desire and will of the people. 

To me, this image represents the person vs the gunman, the citizen vs political convoy, the woman vs oppressor.

23rd of October 2019

Digital Art Medium

Within the first week of the revolution, it became clear that the intention of the Lebanese people was more than just voicing their protest; they want to dismantle the system that oppressed them for so long. 

I observed this intention manifest as citizen tore down the posters of sectarian leaders which once littered the streets and highways. An image surfaced which captured the power of the people; stepping on the faces of those who sold out the care of the country, in order to fill their own pockets. 

I employed the same colour palette and texture as the previous work, and added the title “No Tyrant Rules Forever”, to iconize that crucial moment when the people of Lebanon tore down the portraits of fear mongers, and defaced the images of the old warlords.

30th of October 2019

Digital Art Medium

On the 29th of October, fueled by sectarian ignorance, counter-protestors attacked peaceful demonstrators in Martyr’s Square in central Beirut, and torched their tents.

 A photo by Marwan Tahtah, of a woman attacked by one of these sectarian thugs, began to circulate online. Again, I employed the signature colours and textures I had used twice before, and added the title, “She Persists” to praise the power and bravery - especially of the female protesters- who courageously stood their ground against violence and oppression.

19th of November 2019

Digital Art Medium

On the 19th of November, one month into the Lebanese Revolution, those grasping at threads to hold on to what remains of their political power scheduled the passing of Pardon Law. 

This law was created with loopholes that would allow the corrupt politicians to escape being held accountable for their embezzlement, nepotism, and fraud. I chose to illustrate this moment with the image of Lady “Justice” blindfolded, not by impartiality, but “Corruption”.

Digital Art Medium

Two weeks into the Revolution, the Lebanese Hip Hop rapper El Ras contacted me to make a design for a new song he was working on. He sent me his song to inspire my work, and I love being able to hear the song before it was in the streets. He wanted the design immediately to release the song by the end of the night. I chose to use the fist is a symbol of resistance- striking back. Shoof or Look is the name of the song which is a direct address to the corrupt politicians.