British street artist Banksy recently posted photos of artwork he created in Gaza. Banksy has visited and done works in Palestine before; his graffiti can be viewed on Israel's separation wall that runs through the Palestinian West Bank.
The situation in Gaza is wretched. It is also the product of policy: Israeli occupation and blockade, all held in place with the assistance of US authority and diplomatic protection of Israel. Much has been written and said on the subject. Yet, frustratingly, facts and figures begin to lose their impact.
Needless to say, writing and talking about Gaza and its 1.5 million inhabitants is important for educating people as to the situation there. However, once in a while it's helpful—and encouraging—when art steps into the fray and adds its voice. Art's unique power is its ability to create metaphors, to offer a new dimension and a new mental space in which to consider things. There is also a potency in artistic expression. A single painting or poem or song can convey a message quickly and forcefully and with an authority like nothing else.
Journalism, human rights reports, documentary films, and historical writing all have a crucial role to play; but like any discipline they have their limits. Art can leaven the conversation. Sadly, in the United States, artists of note tend to avoid the topic of Gaza and Palestine (on this point, see Mar. 12, 2011, and Jul. 31, 2014, blog posts). Though his (her? their?) identity is unknown, Banksy's work in Palestine is honest, humane, and most welcome.
Be sure to also watch the video. And the captions under the Gaza photos on his site [link below] make for good reading.
Guardian piece
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/26/banksy-gaza-palestine
Official Banksy site
http://banksy.co.uk
