Laila Rashad Shawa: A Voice Through Art
Laila Shawa 1940 - 2022 | Revolutionary Palestinian Artist
Biography
Laila Shawa (1940–2022) was a pioneering Palestinian artist born in Gaza, known for her bold and politically charged works that addressed themes of injustice, displacement, and resistance. Coming from one of Gaza’s oldest landowning families, Shawa’s revolutionary spirit was shaped by her father, Rashad al-Shawa, a former mayor and activist, and her mother, an admirer of Simone de Beauvoir.
Shawa’s artistic journey began at the Leonardo da Vinci Art Institute in Cairo (1957–1958), followed by studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome (1958–1964). She also trained under Austrian expressionist Oskar Kokoschka in Salzburg. After returning to Gaza, she taught arts and crafts in refugee camps and later moved to Beirut and London, where she continued her prolific career.
Key Artworks
Walls of Gaza (1992–1994)
This series captures messages of hope and defiance from Gaza’s walls during the First Intifada, using photography and silkscreen printing to convey resistance.
Walls of Gaza (1992–1994)
Another piece from the Walls of Gaza series, showcasing Shawa’s powerful use of silkscreen to document resistance.
The Other Side of Paradise
This installation examines the motivations of female suicide bombers, blending eroticization and weaponization in a provocative commentary.
Fashionista Terrorista (2011)
A bold silkscreen critiquing the Western fetishization of Palestinian resistance symbols, rendered in Shawa’s signature Islamo-Pop style.
Legacy
Laila Shawa’s work, often described as Islamo-Pop, continues to inspire discussions on political turmoil, gender, and displacement. Her art is housed in prestigious collections, including The British Museum, and has been exhibited globally, from the National Museum of Women in the Arts to the Salzburger Kunstverein. Shawa’s Rashad Shawa Cultural Centre in Gaza, named after her father, was a testament to her commitment to cultural bridge-building, though it faced challenges due to regional conflicts. Her interdisciplinary practice, spanning painting, printmaking, and sculpture, remains a powerful voice for Palestinian resilience.
Learn more: MutualArt | Speedwell Projects