Mahasen al-Khateeb
Mahasen al-Khateeb | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1993 |
| Died | 18 October 2024 (aged 30–31) |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
Mahasen Al-Khateeb (1993 – 18 October 2024) was a Palestinian freelance artist, specialising in illustration and character design. She came to prominence during the Israeli invasion of Gaza. During this difficult period of war, she used visual art to depict the ordeal and horrors undergone during the Israeli military campaign, disseminate the Palestinian cause and advocate for human rights.[1]
Artistic vocation
Two weeks before the 7 October, she invested all her savings in a studio, where she strived to get some professional independence. However, the studio was destroyed in war. She used whatever income she obtained to support her family. She also provided free online courses for other Palestinians who aspired to progress in artistic creation.[1]
Regarded as a talented artist, she conveyed strong narratives related to the harsh war realities facing, often by means of social media. Israel authorities suppressed virtually all Internet connectivity in Gaza, for which she often relied on social media, like Instagram, to disseminate her artistic production. Al-Khateeb collaborated with many Arab agents and international institutions.[2]
She designed her last work, entitled Tell me what you’re feeling when you see anybody burning, in memory of Shaban al-Dalu, a 19-year-old burned to death in the Israeli bombing of al-Aqsa Hospital days earlier.[3][1] She died shortly after hit by Israel shelling in her neighbourhood.
Legacy
The Lucca Comics & Games Festival posthumously awarded her a special mention.[2]
In the Basque Country, multiple unions, including ELA, LAB, UGT, and CCOO called meetings in Pamplona, Donostia, Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz to denounce her death, pay tribute, and demand an end to the Palestinian genocide. Student associations also organized gatherings in Basque educational and academic establishments. Al-Khateeb collaborated with the pro-Palestine association Gernika-Palestina.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "Mahasen al-Khateeb: Artist who depicted war in Gaza killed in Israeli air strike". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Special mention to Palestinian cartoonist Mahasen Al-Khatib at the Lucca Comics & Games Festival - ChannelDraw". 1 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Gardner, Alan (23 October 2024). "Mahasen al-Khateeb – RIP". The Daily Cartoonist. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Gernika-Palestina elkarteko kolaboratzaile bat hil du Israelek, Gazan". Berria (in Basque). 21 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.