separation
Traveling to Israel and Palestine for two months in 2011, I developed an inside perspective about the conflict between these two cultures. The age-old conflict over who has rightful ownership of the land has birthed a separation wall, made up of tall sections of concrete, between Israel and Palestinian-occupied territories (Gaza and the West Bank). Each time I crossed the border from Israel to Palestine I felt I was crossing over into the ruins of a once-thriving land; from vibrant beauty to aged destruction; but I could still see humanity everywhere I turned despite these differences.
People no different from myself live on either side of this wall. Each person deals with issues caused by the conflict; it is nearly impossible to find jobs, and many families have been separated both in Israel and Palestine because of the building of the wall. Each person has his own perspective on the wall and the rights to the land. No matter our stance on the issue, both sides need to be heard.
In my work I want to show that humanity lies on each side of the walls of war. I want to portray different perspectives in each piece, with the wall being the common thread between them. I use concrete to mimic the texture of the wall, while also giving the impression of the harsh roughness and tension one senses while being there at the border.
Hate evil, love good, establish justice.
