
Noor Soussi
Head of Department
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Head of Department

Group Head
Provenance:
Property from a private collection, Dubai
Published:
People's Army: The Arabs and the Enemies, 1968
front cover and inside
This powerful 1965 painting by Syrian artist Naim Ismail offers a poignant commentary on the clashes in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of the Golan Heights during the 1950s and 60s. The tensions in this region saw the forced expulsion of Syrians and Palestinians by the Israeli Army, a traumatic period depicted in Ismail's work. The painting captures the human toll of these conflicts, illustrating the anguish of displacement and loss. On one side, we see the resolute figures of Arab women and children, symbolic of resilience, while the opposing side portrays faceless, dehumanized figures, embodying the violence of the conflict.
Ismail's use of bold, flat colors and stylized forms creates a stark visual narrative, emphasizing the contrast between life and destruction. This work stands as a tribute to those affected by the upheaval and highlights the enduring struggle for justice in the region.