Elderly artist in Gaza camp uses charcoal drawings to process loss and displacement: Video
Amid rows of tents sheltering displaced families, 80-year-old Mohammed Abdulkarim Zamlat is turning to art as a means of survival.
Zamlat, who was displaced by the ongoing conflict, says his work is less about artistic expression and more about coping with profound personal loss. One of his most striking pieces is a self-portrait featuring his children, all of whom were killed during the recent violence.
“I painted these pictures to express my inner feelings and myself,” he said. “Through these paintings, I ease what is in my heart, whether it is sadness or joy.”
Another drawing he is currently working on depicts a girl holding roses above her head—an image he says represents hope and emotional balance. “Sadness is one of the human emotions, though not always present. Joy, on the other hand, gladdens the human soul,” he explained.
Zamlat’s relationship with art began in childhood and developed through formal training at a teachers’ institute after the 1967 war. He later worked in Saudi Arabia before returning in 1995 to serve for a decade in a presidential office role.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
