Support Palestinian artist Hamada Elkept's art practice

I am Hamada Alqabat (artist name: Hamada Elkept). I was born in Gaza. I grew up in an artistic family, some of whom were experts of Arabic calligraphy, drawing, design, hand-weaving, photography, and montage. Before the war, the house was filled with warmth. Life was going on normally, even if it was under heavy Israeli occupation.

We had two stores house, one for paint and building tools and the other for living, a beautiful house with a large garden, and my cat, Tota, who was the life of the house. Unfortunately, Tota was killed, shops were bombed, and our house was severely damaged after the Israeli occupation bombed my cousin's house next door, killing 11 people. Fortunately, my close family was not there. They have been displaced since the beginning of the war to southern Gaza, and they all live in one 4-meter tent.

I left Gaza before the war after obtaining an art scholarship in Europe, and when the war began, I found myself in Belgium. Back home, I lost my studio, my memories, and all of my artwork, but this does not prevent me from continuing my artistic career that I started at a young age.

I make art in order to stay alive and so that war does not make me forget the meaning of humanity. My artistic practice and the work I produce and sell is also what can help my family to get out of Gaza. By supporting my drawing and painting practice, you'll allow me to produce a consistent body of work I can sell and support my family: my mother, Reem, Nour, Ghadeer, Shatha, Yassin, and Muhammad, my wife Rania, and my daughter Tia. Also, establishing myself as an artist in Belgium will help me to create the condition to welcome my family here when they will be able to flee.