Laila Kassab (Palestinian, born )

Timeline

Laila Kassab (b. 1985) is a Palestinian artist. She was raised in a Rafah refugee camp and attended UNRWA school. She has a degree in psychology from Al Aqsa University in Gaza, Palestine.

Laila started drawing at the age of eight with charcoal and enjoyed drawing her favorite cartoon characters on the wall. Her father, also an artist, spotted her talent and did his best to encourage and support her. She also received support at school from the art teachers and helped her improve her technique.

At university, Laila wished to study art, but there were two obstacles in her way. First, it was difficult for her to get to the Institute of Fine Arts in Gaza as this was the early 2000s, and it was difficult to cross Israeli checkpoints. Secondly, the art materials were too costly. Therefore, Laila studied psychology and gave up on her dreams. After graduating, she worked as a social worker for four years. During this time, Laila was quite unhappy. However, she decided to resume art and quit her job.

Soon after, Laila joined the Gaza Art Association and learned glass paint, sculpture, and oil colors. In 2010, she exhibited her work at the City Hall, Gaza, Palestine. Members of the Ybna Friends of Islington who were visiting Gaza saw her work and contacted her. In 2013, Laila's artwork was smuggled out of Gaza to the UK and was part of an exhibition entitled "Who Can Sleep in Gaza". Laila was overjoyed as this was her first exhibition outside Gaza. Finally, Laila's paintings were free while she was trapped.

Laila's biggest achievement to date is winning an art competition sponsored by Outside In and the Pallant House Gallery. Artists from all over the world submitted paintings to Scottish artist Scotty Wilson. Layla was selected with another artist and awarded £4,000 to create her first solo exhibition at the Pallant House Gallery in 2019.

Gaza is a challenging place for Laila to be an artist due to the harsh political realities. Since 2005, it has endured an illegal blockade imposed by Israel and three wars in which thousands of Gazans got killed. Not surprisingly, few people are interested in art as there are very few opportunities for artists.

Laila participated in several exhibitions outside her country. The only thing she desires is to be able to attend exhibitions outside Gaza. A few individuals generously donated to cover her travel costs but to get a visa and to get to the airport one needs Israeli permission which is difficult to come by. Laila says: I hope someone reading my words can help me realize my dream of getting out of the blockade of Gaza.

Exhibitions

2019
Paintings by Palestinian women artists in Gaza
2019
LAYALI ARABIA
2018
Laila Kassab: Scottie Wilson, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, UK.
2017
Group exhibition, University of North Carolina, USA, organized by Rebuilding Alliance.
2017
‘Art under Siege’ Exhibition, Oxo Tower Wharf, London, UK.
2017
‘Art under Siege’ Group exhibit, Rayburn House Office Building, US House of Representatives, Washington DC, USA, organized by Rebuilding Alliance.
2015
Paintings from Beseiged Gaza to fund art classes
2013
Who can sleep in Gaza
2009
Gallery Make Your Own Gift, Yaboos Charitable Society
2007
Spotlight Exhibition
English (US)

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