Sumud | صُمودْ Culture, Education & Art: An Exhibit on Palestinian Resistance & Art
An important art exhibition that I hold dear to my heart was the Sumud | صُمودْ art exhibition on campus, that documented and collected archive throughout more than 50 days that students were occupying UofT, creating the People;s Circle for Palestine, in protest of the university's complicity with the genocide of the Palestinian people committed by Israel,
A group art exhibition made by and for the students bears a powerful intention and message; keeping the legacy of the Palestinian movement, the encampment and the students' resistance alive through records, art, and most importantly, the honouring and remembering of the victims and martyrs of this genocide, all connected to the larger Palestinian Diaspora and community, including our Palestinian students that, with heavy hearts and souls, made this exhibition possible and empowering for the whole community. This is a reminder they're here to stay, they can't be erased by the ignorance and censorship of the university administration, and everyday we will keep talking about Palestine until she's free.
Curatorial statement by exhibitors:
The exhibit showcased work from dozens of artists, covering everything from the history of Palestine, life in occupied Palestine, the student intifada, and the Toronto protest movement. It was beautiful to see so many people come together over the shared vision of a liberated Palestine.
Sumud | صُمودْ : An Exhibit on Palestinian Resistance & Art
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of quilted baby clothes' Palestinian flag, anonymous author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
This was one of the most outstanding works for me, as it included quilting of a flag, but with baby's clothes, the colour of the Palestinian flag, which make it a very powerful statement, as well as direct reminder of the genocide that include babies and kids in Palestine... it is incredibly communicative of this reality, especially the feel of fabric and clothes adds a very personal and intimate touch to the individuality of each live taken, becomes very personal and close to me.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of tatreez embroidery work, anonymous author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of 1904 map of Palestine and photo collage, anonymous authors, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of flyer, anonymous author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of banners, anonymous authors, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of video documentary work, anonymous author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of photographs, Natalia Mariana @nmarianaphoto, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Description below said: "This image taken on the first night of the encampment, shows two friends on either side of the fence, their hands grasping at the metal as they speak to each other through the barrier. The fence, though temporary, draws a haunting parallel to the apartheid wall in Gaza, where separation and struggle define daily life. The intimate connection between the two friends, despite the physical divide, mirrors the resilience of those who continue to find ways to connect and support one another across walls of oppression. This photo encapsulates both the isolation imposed by such barriers and the enduring human spirit that refuses to be silenced and separated."
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of photograph, unknown author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of portrait painting, Eman @goobmakesart, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PALESTINE...BUT HEAVEN (2024), unknown author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of Resist (2024), unknown author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Description below said: "Protesters disrupted a Middle Eastern Food Festival in Nathan Philip Square. There was a large crowd of festival attendees, but few engaged despite the visual impact."
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of banners, unknown author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of video documentary work, anonymous author, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
Juanita Arango, personal photograph of exhibition view, October 8 2024, UTSU Student Commons, Toronto.
This exhibition showed me the importance of representing and giving spaces to voices in resistance and stories of resilience, especially of those in current struggle amidst an ongoing genocide of their peoples and entire communities grieving, at the massive loss of life. Speaking up through art has never been more powerful than seeing this, especially this year. Seeing the wide range of media, techniques, is not only reflective of the inventiveness and expertise of the artists, but reflective of the organized effort and cooperation of the entire community and movement in favour of the Palestinian cause for a free land and a free people against genocide, war, and the colonial roots that, unfortunately, continues to poison Western societies. These artists and community are recording and documenting history in real-time, especially displaying the resilience and support of students and diverse collectives that are willing to organize together for a cause of liberation and justice for interconnected struggle and transnational solidarity. I feel completely inspired and admiration for the courage, strength, and artistic and social expertise of all the presenters who really demonstrated the strength and cohesiveness of a group art exhibition and the power of unity in voicing through art.
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