Representations of Conflict: Images of War, Resistance, and Identity in Palestinian Art

Abstract

Since 1948 the Palestine-Israel conflict has provided a source of inspiration for writers and photographers both within and outside the region. As the years of war have worn inexorably on, the changes wrought by events in the region have been rendered by Palestinian artists. This article focuses on the Palestinian art scene from 1948 onward, tracing the evolution of Palestinian art and symbols of war, resistance, and national identity in the works of artists such as Sliman Mansour and Naji Al-Ali. The article also assesses the representation of the female form and the significance of identity in artistic works during times of conflict.