In a small two-storey terrace in the heart of a rambling strip of shops and bars in Redfern, across about five days in late October, early November 2025, a large group of approximately 60 artists came together as a loose collective for a brief period of time.
Brought together randomly and without artistic bias of any kind, they donated work for sale for the purpose of helping a small number of Palestinians trapped on the strip of land known as Gaza. These Gazans as well as their whole population of fellow citizens – women, men and especially children – have, for the last two years, been under the worst imaginable conditions of privation, genocide, brutalisation, displacement and starvation. A world of women, men and even children have watched on with growing horror and frustration. What to do? How to help? These questions tug at the heart of every empathetic soul who is witness to this continuing degradation.
Based on a similar model of help in other parts of the world, this show did what it could. A drop in the ocean of needed aid? Yes, but the ocean has many drops and together they do make an ocean. Was it tokenistic? Absolutely not. In the big picture this was a little sketch. A scribble of hope and help. But to reach out to another human being, despite all the limitations that enfold you both, is an act of love, of caring, of fellowship.
This exhibition will close tonight but its effects on a handful of Gazans will be important, necessary, possibly life-changing. And for the artists? For the participants who attended, either personally or digitally, all reaching into their pockets? The gesture will also remain and be important. Giving love is always receiving love.
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Artists for Gaza continues until Sunday 2 November at Rogue Pop-Up Gallery, 130 Regent Street, Redfern. All works can also be viewed on @artistsforgaza.au and purchased here.
