Mr Saed Hilmi is a distinguished Palestinian artist, was born in 1967 in Al-Arroub Camp in Hebron, and his roots extend to the displaced village of Iraq Al-Manshiya, abandoned during the brutal events of 1948. His artistic journey commenced in his formative years, where he honed his skills in arts, drawing, and photography. A graduate of an Institute of Fine Arts and an esteemed member of the Fine Artists Association in Palestine, Saed Hilmi is also affiliated with Naji Ali’s Group, a renowned Palestinian cartoonist known for his incisive political commentary on Arab regimes and Israel. Currently engrossed in the realm of rock sculpting, Saed Hilmi’s focus primarily lies in the art of sculpture. His active participation in numerous exhibitions underscores his deep connection to Palestinian heritage and the profound struggles faced by his people. Notable among these exhibitions is the Barcelona showcase in 1999, which centered on Palestinian prisoners.
Saed Hilmi’s artistic expression revolves around realistic fine art, utilizing paintings as a powerful medium to convey the poignant narrative of the Palestinian people. As a resident of a refugee camp, his paintings vividly portray the anguish of mothers of martyrs, the resilience of Palestinian people, and the enduring sacrifices within his community. Employing a distinctive palette featuring red, green, black, and white, symbolizing the Palestinian flag and the valor of honorable martyrs, Saed Hilmi’s art serves as a compelling message to the world. His visual storytelling resonates with the struggles, resilience, and strength of the Palestinian people, encapsulating the essence of a community and conveying a potent message that transcends borders, speaking to the universal human experience. Through his art, Saed Hilmi becomes a storyteller of his people’s journey, inviting viewers to understand and empathize with the profound aspects of Palestinian history and identity.
The Displaced Village
In this evocative artwork, a Palestinian woman with a traditional attire carries an old oil lamp, casting a warm glow that reveals the spectral echoes of an abandoned village within her silhouette. The resilient spirit of the Palestinian people is depicted clearly, with the emergence of homes through her figure, narrating tales of displacement and the ability to endure. Against the backdrop of a moonlit night, a solitary cactus tree stands as a symbol of enduring patience, rooted in the soil of perpetual identity. This painting embodies the silent narrative of a people’s journey, where history is etched in the lines of shadows, and the light of hope prevails amidst the darkness of displacement.
The Nakba Day
This painting captures the profound essence of Nakba Day, portraying a Palestinian woman in traditional attire. She gently touches her little son, his tiny body and expressive face demonstrate a touching anger mixed with fears, reflective of the historical injustices of Palestinianpeople who have been displaced from their villages and cities in 1948. A majestic, ancient tree stands tall, its branches reaching towards the sky, symbolizing protection and resilience. The roots of the tree encircle the woman and her son, representing the deep connection to their land and heritage. Above, within the intricate branches of the tree, a full, illuminating moon graces the sky, casting a luminous glow on the scene. The woman’s silence echoes the weight of her sorrow, etched on her face as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity.
A Face of Memories
In this masterpiece, a mournful pigeon perches upon a stick with its melancholy gaze fixates on the remnants of a small stone bridge and the skeletal remains of a stone house, poignant relics from a village obliterated in 1948by Israeli occupation force. The scene unfolds beneath a sky adorned with convoluted clouds, through which a full moon casts its luminous glow. The moon’s radiant beams pierce through the clouds, creating a mesmerizing celestial display. An old tree stands as a silent witness, offering solace to the grieving pigeon. In the foreground, the branches of another tree reach out, devoid of leaves, emphasizing the stark reality of the passage of time. “A Face of Memories” is a profound exploration of loss, resilience, and the enduring connection between the remnants of history and the ever-watchful, silent observers of time.
The Last Hope
The idea behind this painting unfolds on the walls of Gaza. Originally, the painting depicted a scene of serenity before its descent, where a multitude of pigeons stood upon a giant olive tree, serving as a testament to the tranquil coexistence shattered by the ravages of brutal occupation. Amidst the brutal bombing in 2021, the artwork succumbed to the chaos, its wooden frame fell down, and the peace doves flew from within and olive tree branches cascaded to the ground, leaving the artwork fragmented yet resonant. This touching piece of art encapsulates the harrowing narrative of the war on the Gaza Strip in 2021. The fallen artwork, with its liberated dove, and scattered olive branches, becomes a powerful symbol of resilience amidst destruction, echoing the profound impact of war on both art and the human spirit.
