- Title: GAZA-ARTIST ISOLATION A Gaza artist chronicles her isolation in self-portraits
- Date: 17th June 2015
- Summary: BADWAN TAKING A PHOTO WITH HER CAMERA
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Gaza
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAD6J2912XMRTNJS3J9WYXZCY9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: In a small apartment building in Deir al-Balah in Gaza, Nidaa Badwan - an upcoming Palestinian artist, chronicles her days of solitude.
She creates vivid self-portraits using a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera.
Badwan's background is in interior design but she said she discovered that it is through photography that she can express her ideas.
"To begin with, I am an interior design graduate from the College of Fine Arts. I draw and sculpt but I found photography to be the most possible way to express my thoughts. Maybe it is because I find that through photography I gather all my hobbies; I feel like I draw, paint, and sculpt with the photo,'' Badwan said.
Her ongoing exhibition in various cities in the Palestinian territories is called Hundred Days of Solitude.
"Hundred Days of Solitude is the name of an exhibition that was a product of an experience that began on November 19th, 2013 and that is still ongoing. I voiced in it my protest against the reality in Gaza, in that time. I came out of it with a set of photos. The product of this exhibition was 14 photos that were shown in several West Bank cities," said Badwan.
In November 2013, Badwan was harassed by Hamas officers, she said. She had to sign a paper promising not to leave home without traditional Islamic garb. After that incident, she chose to self-impose isolation to her room. A room she says she rarely leaves.
But now, the success of her work has provided her with optimism, and she wants to break free from her isolation and travel to see her work in exhibitions in various cities. But it has not been possible so far.
"We live under siege in Gaza. I couldn't go to Jerusalem for the opening of my exhibition, instead, I opened the exhibition through Skype. When it moved to different cities, I was hoping I would attend the exhibition, sadly I didn't get a permit. Currently, I have many invitations outside of Palestine but unfortunately I am not able to leave and to accept these invitations because I don't have a permit," Badwan said.
Social media networks have made it possible for more people around the world to follow and view her art.
"This technology, made it easier for people from different countries to see my work, to encourage and follow me. Of course, it is through social media,'' she said.
Gaza, a small impoverished coastal enclave, is under blockade by neighbouring Israel.
Since the second Palestinian uprising in 2000, the movement for Palestinians from Gaza has become increasingly difficult. According to Israeli rights group B'tselem 'all procedures for entering and exiting the Gaza Strip are contingent on security clearance' from Israel. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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