Stitching Solidarity, Artists for Palestine
Enjoy Contemporary Art Space, Pōneke, Wellington
S O M E O N E
In a gesture acknowledging women killed in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force since October 2023, this panel of the Solidarity Quilt references the five pieces of cloth generally used to shroud the bodies of deceased Muslim women. The panel is made of three layers: a square fabric support, a square top section, and a text reading SOME ONE. All three layers are made with five pieces of white cotton fabric.
Western media updates the numbers of dead, usually adding that most are women and children. But mere numbers have the potential to numb the audience and anonymise the dead. Although it is not possible to know all the names of the tens of thousands who have died in Gaza, it is possible to pause and affirm that not one is simply a number.
Palestinian peace activist, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a doctor born in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, lost threedaughters and a niece when an Israeli shell struck their home in 2009. A further twenty-one of his extended family have died during the current wave of attacks by the IDF. Whilst sharing his view that open communication, understanding, hope and compassion are the tools to bridge the divide between Israeli and Palestinian interests, he also always reminds the listener that his deceased beloved were named Bessan, Mayar, Aya and Nour.
Deborah Rundle, S O M E O N E, three x five layers of white cotton, stitched with white and green shashiko thread, 2024.
In a gesture acknowledging women killed in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force since October 2023, this panel of the Solidarity Quilt references the five pieces of cloth generally used to shroud the bodies of deceased Muslim women. The panel is made of three layers: a square fabric support, a square top section, and a text reading SOME ONE. All three layers are made with five pieces of white cotton fabric.
Western media updates the numbers of dead, usually adding that most are women and children. But mere numbers have the potential to numb the audience and anonymise the dead. Although it is not possible to know all the names of the tens of thousands who have died in Gaza, it is possible to pause and affirm that not one is simply a number.
Palestinian peace activist, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a doctor born in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, lost threedaughters and a niece when an Israeli shell struck their home in 2009. A further twenty-one of his extended family have died during the current wave of attacks by the IDF. Whilst sharing his view that open communication, understanding, hope and compassion are the tools to bridge the divide between Israeli and Palestinian interests, he also always reminds the listener that his deceased beloved were named Bessan, Mayar, Aya and Nour.
Deborah Rundle, S O M E O N E, three x five layers of white cotton, stitched with white and green shashiko thread, 2024.