Malak Mattar

Malak Mattar’s paintings speak of loss, resilience, and the deep emotions of living through war. Born and raised in Gaza, she began painting as a teenager during a time of conflict. Her work has always been shaped by her experience of displacement, but after moving to the UK in 2023, her paintings took on a new intensity.

This selection includes I see Birds (2024) and We don’t want you (2024), both made during the ongoing war in Gaza, using bold, expressive strokes to reflect grief and resistance. You & I (2021), a quieter, more intimate portrait from an earlier period, offers a contrast in tone. At the centre of the presentation is Gaza is a Phoenix (2025), a monumental mixed media painting that transforms pain into hope, reminding us of Gaza’s enduring spirit.