The Little Red Nest Chicago is excited to announce its new window exhibition Compassion: Hamada Elkept.
Hamada Elkept is a visual artist from Gaza, Palestine. Growing up through war, occupation, and blockades, he developed a profound commitment to resisting injustice through his art practice. He notes, “I felt like a bird in a cage … My art is a mirror to what I have suffered and felt in response to the oppression of the Israeli occupation. Yet, the violence did not stop me from expressing in uncompromising and simple visual language my passion to be free.”
His work focuses on the people of Gaza, their strength and will to resist, survive, and thrive. “In my work, I focus on people who are similar to me and my experiences.”
In this exhibition, Elkept depicts scenes of displacement while highlighting the deep connection and compassion shown between the people in Gaza and their animals, all who are targeted indiscriminately. Elkept remarks, “Despite the lack of food and the searing hunger, people did not stop feeding their dogs, cats, and other animals. Hunger did not strip them of their mercy and humanity, nor did it make them selfish in keeping all the food for themselves.”
Elkept hopes this personal representation of the war touches the audiences’ hearts, and gives them space to think about a better, more peaceful, and just future.
Support Hamada Elkept’s art practice through his Go Fund Me.
The Compassion: Hamada Elkept window exhibition at the Little Red Nest Chicago is generously supported by the DEMIL Art Fund.
Featured Artworks
Hamada Elkept, Under Surveillance, Inkjet print reproduction of an acrylic painting on canvas
Hamada Elkept, The Resistant Donkey, Inkjet print reproduction of an acrylic painting on canvas
Hamada Elkept, Friends of War, Inkjet print reproduction of an acrylic painting on canvas
Hamada Elkept, Under Surveillance, Inkjet print reproduction of an acrylic painting on canvas
Hamada Elkept, Under Surveillance, Inkjet print reproduction of an acrylic painting on canvas
More Info
- Hamada Elkept @hamadaelkept
- Little Red Nest Chicago @littlerednestchicago
- DEMIL Art Fund @demilartfund