The ongoing conflict in Palestine had always been an interest of mine, especially the situation in the Gaza Strip, which is home to 1,500,000 people, and in the winter of 2008, was subjected to air strikes by Israeli forces. Codenamed Operation ‘Cast Lead’, the attacks lasted from late December until mid January, and during this time, 1400 Palestinians were killed, and large areas of Gaza destroyed, leaving many thousands homeless. The stated aim behind the atrocity was to end rocket attacks into Israel by armed groups affiliated with Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
My initial intention was to recreate a section of the 703 kilometre long ‘Separation Barrier’ which is built around the West Bank, dividing Israel and Palestine. However, as my research developed, I chose instead to design a layered piece, secured by rivets, with each layer representing a different section of the history concerning the conflict. The segment which depicts the photograph of the woman at an anti apartheid demonstration was to epitomise peaceful protest and the reaction of people all over the world as the events unfold in Gaza. The brass etching of the mosque was to symbolise the destruction of the heritage of the Palestinian people, and the wire fencing represents part of the ‘Separation Barrier’ and the people trapped behind it.
Colette Brown
‘Narrative Project’
Jewellery & Metal Design
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