In a landmark moment for both artist and nation, Malak Mattar (Instagram) has become the first Palestinian to hold a solo exhibition at Londonโs Central Saint Martins. For Mattar, this is more than a personal achievement, itโs a declaration of presence. โItโs an emotional moment, not just for me, but for Palestine,โ says artist. โBeing the first Palestinian artist to have a solo show at Central Saint Martins is about more than art; itโs about visibility and resistance. Iโm proud to bring our stories and resilience into this space.โ
Born and raised in Gaza, Malak Mattar began painting during the 2014 war, seeking refuge in expression. Her work has since evolved into a rich visual archive of memory, pain, and quiet power. โPainting is my language of resistance,โ she explains. โI started during the 2014 war in Gaza as a way to survive emotionally and speak when words failed.โ
The exhibition itself, deeply personal and politically resonant, unfurls like a diary. โThe exhibition moves through memory, loss, and resistance, but also healing,โ she reflects. โI wanted to create a space that carries the emotional weight of Gaza while also showing the strength and dignity of its people.โ
Her voice, rooted in lived experience, cuts through abstraction. โEven when I paint something soft or personal, itโs still political,โ Mattar notes. โAs a Palestinian from Gaza, my existence is resistance. So no, in my practice, art is never apolitical.โ
Yet her ascent has been accompanied by the complex dynamics of recognition. โI never imagined this kind of recognition in a city like London, especially coming from Gaza,โ she admits. โThis moment feels like a continuation of my journey, both personal and political.โ
As a young woman carrying the weight of collective memory, she is mindful of how narratives are shaped: โIโm cautious of being reduced to a symbol, it can strip away the complexity of who we are. I want to be recognized not just as a representative, but as an artist in my own right, shaped by my experience.โ
Mattarโs practice draws on instinct and emotional memory. โI often paint from memory, especially faces and moments that have stayed with me. Painting is also a kind of ritual for meโฆ a conversation between my past and present, between memory and imagination.โ
Sheโs aware of how the cultural context shifts perception. โIn Gaza, my art is deeply personal and rooted in daily reality, but in the UK, people sometimes interpret it through different political or cultural lenses,โ she says. โIt makes me think about how art can carry multiple meanings depending on context.โ
Despite the burden of representation, Mattar continues to speak, through colour, form, and voice, for those who cannot. โCarrying Gaza with me is both a responsibility and a weight. I feel the urgency to speak for those who canโt, to show the humanity behind the headlines.โ
Looking forward, she hopes this moment opens doors. โPalestinian artists deserve space to be seen for the depth and range of their work,โ she says. โRight now, Iโm in conversation with the memories and stories of Gazaโฆ Itโs about holding onto humanity in difficult times.โ
To other artists from Gaza, the diaspora, and beyond, she offers this: โYour art is resistance, healing, and a way to reclaim your identity. Believe in yourself and your story, because it matters.โ
And if this moment had a voice? It would speak a single, powerful word:ย ุตุจุฑ (sabr). โPatience to endure, to resist, and to hope despite the hardships.โ
For more stories of art and culture, like this talk with Malak Mattar, visit our dedicated archives.
