25/4/2025
Mahasen Al-Khatib
Mahasen Al-Khatib was a gifted artist known for her vibrant portraits and unique characters. After October 7th, she turned to art as a way to express the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. She also led drawing workshops for the people of Gaza, using art as a tool to ease their pain and offer emotional support by helping them learn a new skill.
Mahasen stood her ground—refusing displacement and forced evacuation—and left behind a powerful artistic legacy through her digital artwork, which captured the reality, wounds, and ongoing struggle of Palestinians in their pursuit of freedom.
She was martyred in Jabalia on October 19, 2024. Not long before her martyrdom, she wrote: “Tell me, how does it feel to watch someone burn?”
Amman National School and the Art Department remained connected to Mahasen’s work, drawing inspiration from her strength and creativity. In honor of her legacy and exceptional talent, we have dedicated a special space to showcase her artwork. Products featuring her illustrations are available for purchase, with all proceeds going to support her family, for whom she was the main provider.
Azza Hasan Al-Sheikh Ahmad
Azza Hasan Al-Sheikh Ahmad is a visual artist from Gaza whose work goes beyond technique or medium. Each painting is a vessel for memory, identity, and the story of her people. Through gentle symbolism and a refined, heartfelt approach, she reimagines Palestinian heritage, blending the weight of history with the hope of dreams.
Azza has showcased her art in exhibitions both locally and abroad, including two solo shows. One of these was held in Berlin, where her paintings echoed resistance expressed through symbols, nostalgia, and hope.
But after the war, the vibrant colors she once embraced disappeared from her work. She turned to black and white — not simply as a stylistic choice, but as a reflection of a world stripped of color. In a moment of painful reflection, she wrote:
"I need a thousand years to cleanse my memory of the toxins of war...
I don't think what I lived was a life — more like a different kind of death."
Azza’s art during wartime wasn’t an escape from reality — it was a record of survival, a testament to resilience, and a spark of creativity born from devastation. She once said:
"I don’t paint for recognition. I paint for Gaza, for Palestine."
In recognition of her artistic journey, the Art Department at Amman National School has dedicated a special wing to showcase her work, each bearing her signature spirit. The pieces are for sale, with proceeds going directly to support her.