Born in Haifa

Born and raised in Haifa, my life and artistic practice are deeply shaped by the layered history, memory, and resilience of the city. Working across painting, drawing, sculpture, and public art, I explore themes of womanhood, identity, displacement, and the relationship between humans and nature.

Alongside my professional career in urban planning, civil engineering, and project management — through which I have led planning and development projects since 1989 — art has remained a central and continuous force in my life.

First Generation

Together with my twin sister, I belong to the first generation of Palestinian artists born and raised in Haifa after the Nakba — a reality that profoundly influenced my artistic perspective from an early age.

I grew up in a historic building once inhabited by Ibrahim Pasha Al-Khalili, former mayor of Haifa during the Ottoman period. Raised by my mother with my four sisters, our family maintained a presence in an area marked by demolition, abandonment, and urban transformation — becoming the only remaining Arab family in the immediate surroundings. These early experiences shaped my visual language, which often reflects themes of loss, memory, and survival.

The Work

My early works documented the emotional landscape of displacement: ruined homes, absent communities, and the silent tension between past and present. Over time, the female figure emerged as a central motif in my work, representing strength, endurance, and continuity.

In my more recent abstract figurative paintings, I explore the connection between women and nature, expressing universal human emotions through movement, body language, and environmental interaction. I also incorporate recycled materials, reflecting my commitment to environmental awareness.

Beyond canvas, I have created sculptures for public spaces, including a statue of a woman playing the guitar in Kafr Yassif — among the first public monuments in Arab towns dedicated to celebrating women’s empowerment. My practice also includes illustration and design collaborations with Palestinian writers and cultural organizations.

Preserving Heritage

In 2008, I founded the Cities Gallery project, presenting exhibitions focused on Palestinian historical cities. This initiative later led to the establishment of Haifa Gallery in 2019 in Wadi Al Nisnas — the first Palestinian Arab gallery in Haifa since 1948.

Haifa Gallery is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Palestinian art, culture, and heritage through exhibitions and a museum documenting the city’s history. Through my work, I seek to create spaces where memory, identity, and imagination meet — connecting personal stories with collective narratives.

Timeline