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David and Goliath: Palestinian Artist Spreads Hope
by Ramzy Baroud When one commits to the life of an active citizen, spending their hours days and years reading and writing about current events, it becomes a daily struggle to overcome the cynicism that chases after you with the despairing headlines marking each newspaper or magazine.
Rare is it when someone or something comes along to revive the
feelings of courage, tenacity and willfulness of the young and hopeful
activist.
In my office, hanging above the fireplace in
conspicuous view from any part of the room is a large print of Rana
Ghassan’s "David and Goliath". It has been placed in a strategic
location, where beholding it daily is unavoidable.
I am forced to study
the foreboding danger portrayed as soldiers gather in the distant dust.
I must consider that the young faceless boy in the work stands with no
barricade to protect him, no riot gear, armoured vehicle, just a
worn-out cotton t-shirt and a steadfastness that can move mountains.
With
a hearty clutch on a handful of stones, his only weapon, the bulging
veins and blanched knuckles convey an uncommon strength that so
fluently and completely relays the history of the Palestinian struggle.
It is not a message of victimization, weakness and pity. Yes, it does
speak of adversity, injustice, but also of empowerment and the will to
rise above wrong.
If there is any notion that Palestinians would wish
to relay, it is this; that their fight is not born of weakness and
pity, but of brazen determination and guts. Ghassan is an ambassador in
her own right, and has, in my opinion, conveyed this message
impeccably.
"David and Goliath" reflects a symphony of
emotions. She masterfully brings together elements of accurate drawing,
mood coloration, and phenomenal composition, capturing subtle emotions
sometimes hidden within a live scene or photograph, and expresses the
struggle of life under oppression in an inspiring light of courage and
struggle.
One of her many strengths is that Ghassan focuses on
the positive emotions of a negative scene. Some artists who choose to
focus on Palestinian themes concentrate on the oppressors, which
results in morbid, dark, and although very powerful and remarkable,
nonetheless gloomy scenes. She believes that history has shown us that
it is our darkest hours, which provide us with the contrasting
background for the brightest light of hope and inspiration. Clearly,
this idea is captured in her work.
Recent months have sadly also
shown a less dignified side of the Palestinian cause. With infighting
and internal politics so divisive that the real essence of struggle is
eroded, Ghassan's also provides a painful and abrupt reminder of the
real heroes in this struggle.
It is the poor, the disenfranchised and
more, the youth of Palestine that keep the authentic and true struggle
alive. I believe that Ghassan, through this intensely meaningful
portrait, not only exposes the outside enemy, but the failure of the
Palestinian leadership as well, for it is not politicians, ministers
and the like that brave the occupying army, but a boy in the springtime
of his youth who stands in his people's defence.
I am so
thankful for Rana Ghassan, for her genius, dedication and commitment to
documenting this struggle in such a beautiful way. The pride and hope
that screams from each canvas forces one to renew their commitment
somehow, to reconsider their place in this unshakable struggle with
each thoughtful gaze. I am certain that Ghassan will be honoured for
generations as one of the most gifted Palestinian artists of our time.
For more information visit http://www.cafepress.com/ranaghassan
Ramzy
Baroud is an author and editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His work has
been published in many newspapers and journals worldwide. His latest
book is The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People's
Struggle (Pluto Press, London). For more, visit his website:
www.ramzybaroud.net
Writings 
When one commits to the life of an active citizen, spending their hours days and years reading and writing about current events, it becomes a daily struggle to overcome the cynicism that chases after you with the despairing headlines marking each newspaper or magazine.
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