Activism through art: Honoring lost lives in Gaza one year later

Ghailah Nyeanchi, Contributing Writer 

A large, red sculpted poppy flower surrounded by 12 beds of smaller flowers all made from various materials shone brightly in the middle of the VCU Commons Plaza on Oct. 7. 

The flower sculpture was a part of VCU’s Students for Justice in Palestine organization’s art installation on Oct. 7, which was one of many “Rage Week” events hosted by SJP from Oct. 7 through 11. The “Rage Week” events commemorated one year of “genocide” in Palestine by the Israeli occupation, according to their Instagram. 

SJP partnered with sculpture students and anyone willing to volunteer for the project, said Cristina Sayegh, campus outreach for SJP. 

Poppies were chosen for the sculpture because they are native to Palestine and for greater symbolism, according to Sayegh.

“They also symbolize life and death,” Sayegh said. “So the poppies are there to resemble the martyrs and the people who have died.” 

The 12 styrofoam sections of the poppy beds for the sculpture represent the 12 universities that no longer stand in Gaza, Sayegh said. 

SJP wanted to connect with VCU students while also honoring the Gazan universities, Sayegh said.  

The art installation also included a poppy-making station with materials attendees could use to create their own poppy flowers and add to the piece.

Making the art installation part of “Rage Week” was important because there needed to be new forms of protest, according to Sayegh.  

A lot of people are unsure of how they can help because they aren’t able to donate or explore other traditional forms of protest, Sayegh said. Making art presents a new opportunity for solidarity.  

“Everyone has a talent,” Sayegh said. “Everyone has the ability to help in a way.”

Participating in creating the flower sculptures was a fun experience, according to Emily Servin, a second-year sculpture student at VCU. 

The flowers were made using different types of materials to make the stems and petals, according to Servin. 

“It made it all more unique,” Servin said.

Helping out with the project also made Servin feel like her voice was being heard, she said. 

“I think art has been used in many kinds of ways to show somebody’s voice,” Servin said. “It’s a gateway for a lot of artists to speak.” 

A lot of times people don’t pay attention to what artists have to say until they make a piece about it, Servin said. 

“Art has had such a huge impact on a lot of movements,” said Sereen Haddad, leadership chair for SJP.

The student organization chose to incorporate the art installation as part of “Rage Week” because they wanted something students could interact with, according to Haddad.

The installation served to remind students that lives are still being lost one year after the start of the conflict in Gaza, Haddad said. 

“Things aren’t getting better over there,” Haddad said.

There are a lot of ways that people can express solidarity and fight for justice and peace in Palestine, according to Haddad. 

“I definitely think that art is one of them,” Haddad said. “It’s absolutely beautiful, everything here.” 

The art installation, which began at 11:45 a.m., also included a vigil at 6:30 p.m., according to SJP’s Instagram.

“We want to acknowledge that there’s a place where people get to hold their grief as well,” Haddad said. “All that is very important in this kind of movement.” 

In addition to the art installation for “Rage Week.” SJP also hosted a walkout and march on Oct. 7, an all-day fundraiser at Halal Munchies on Oct. 9 and a film screening in partnership with the Progressive Jewish Student Union on Oct. 10, according to Haddad. 

The point of all the events is to come together and stand in solidarity for those suffering under occupation in Palestine, Haddad said. 

“We want to come together as students and as a community to make a statement and say that we stand for Palestinian liberation,” Haddad said.  

Kacee Boone, a political science and African American studies fourth-year student, stumbled upon the event while walking around campus. 

“I think it’s awesome,” Boone said. “I think any way that you can support Palestine should be utilized.”