Overview
The grounded political art of Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara embodies his personal commitment to the Palestinian struggle for liberation and peace.
Zarara served the Jordanian air force military between the 1950s and the 1970s where he was promoted to an aviation technician. He became an active member of the PLO after serving 15 years in the air force. After a short period of time, he developed his sawdust-and-glue relief technique, and used his work to decry the violent suppression of his homeland and promote international solidarity.
The 31 works in this exhibition depict everyday life, weddings, social gatherings and traditional celebrations.
Through these works, Zarara serves and represents historical information and impassioned prose. His works prominently feature a valuable record of an endangered tradition, culture and international solidarity movement with Palestine.
The selection reflects Zarara’s formal technique and visual vocabulary which includes an almost surreal use of the Palestinian keffiyeh often intertwined with weapons or women’s hair and his depiction of rodent-like predatory monsters variously wielding missiles, harassing innocents and dragging along a helpless NATO.
Artwork Images
From the African struggle file
Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara
1985
Acrylic on sawdust and glue
61.5 x 47 cm
Sharjah Art Foundation Collection
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