Meet the artist Shahd Rajab

Hello,

My name is Shahd Rajab, a 22-year-old Palestinian woman from Gaza. I am currently in my fourth year at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. Since childhood, I have been passionate about drawing, using my colors and brushes to express my feelings, thoughts, and messages to the world.

I have lived all my life in my beautiful city, Gaza. I have witnessed many wars over the years, but this current war is the most brutal and prolonged.

This horrific war has destroyed everything. Life has lost its meaning, and death and life have become almost the same.

Since October 7, 2023, I have experienced all forms of suffering in Gaza… I have lived in tents, faced repeated displacement into the unknown, endured hunger and lack of water, extreme cold and heat, fear, and sleepless nights under the sound of continuous bombing and missiles, and much more.

All I have is my artistic talent to express our pain and the horrors of the crimes committed against us, including the destruction of homes over people’s heads and many other tragedies.

My family and I have been displaced more than 20 times within the besieged Gaza Strip. In every place we fled to, we survived with nothing but our lives.

The suffering here never ends. Life has become extremely expensive due to the closure of the borders and the prevention of food, aid, fuel, and all basic necessities from entering Gaza.

But despite everything, I still believe that art can be a voice for what we are living through, and that humanitarian support can truly make a difference.

My only wish now is for the borders to be opened, and for me to be able to embrace my father when he returns to Gaza after being in Ramallah since October 2023, and for our family to be reunited once again. I also hope that this war will end, that peace will prevail, and that I will remain able to continue creating and sharing my art with the world from the heart of Gaza.

I want my family to stay safe, to lose no one, and for safety and peace to return, because there is no safe place here—at any moment, our lives can be taken.

All of the artworks on my page are available for sale in different sizes and editions.

Feel free to contact me via instagram: @shahd_rajab51

https://www.instagram.com/shahd_rajab51?igsh=bTZlZ3l2YXVnazRx

Thank you,

Shahd

From the fundraiser

My name is Martyna Michalowska,

I am an artist and I live in France.

I've met Shahd via her remarkable art at the beginning of the year 2025 and we have been corresponding ever since.

I truly believe in Shahd, her beautiful talent and soul, courage and perseverance in such uncertain life she's experiencing since past years in Gaza. Hopefully she will be able to complete her studies and will obtain her degree.

The funds collected will be sent to Shahd as soon as requested via bank transfer so she can provide the food, water and necessities to herself and her family.

Every donation makes a huge difference and I am very thankful to everyone each of you for participating in our fundraiser.

Thank you,

Martyna