Making a living as a creative is hard enough, but it’s an entirely different ball game when you’re coping with the basics of survival. For those not fortunate enough to be able support themselves through their passion, being an artist often means dealing with late payments, overly demanding clients, and countless revisions. It also involves having to market yourself, negotiate contracts on your own, and manage a mountain of administrative tasks, all while barely earning enough to make it worth it.
For Reem Hazarin, a 30-year-old Palestinian digital artist, the already challenging process for making a living as a creative is exacerbated by the harsh and volatile nature of her environment, making it even more daunting to thrive in this field. Living in Gaza, which many international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have described as an open-air prison, the artist has fought tirelessly to carve out a space for herself despite living under occupation and an ongoing genocide.
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Recently, Hazarin collaborated with the American lifestyle label Palestinian Hustle to design an exclusive line of t-shirts and hoodies that pay homage to her homeland. In light of this, we sat down with the artist to discuss her journey, the importance of incorporating references to Palestine in her work, and using art as a tool of resistance.
Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Reem Harazin. I am from Palestine and live in the Gaza Strip, which is currently experiencing the most difficult circumstances of war and destruction. I am 30-years-old and have worked in art and digital drawing for over seven years. My work is my way of expressing our feelings, dreams, and pain as Palestinians. Every painting I draw attempts to convey the actual image of our lives here in Gaza. Every time I hear the sound of warplanes or see the destruction around us, my determination to create beauty and hope from pain increases. Art is my heritage and history. For me, digital drawing is not just work; it is a daily journey that I live to tell the world our story. Through my art, I try to show our lives’ human and emotional aspects and highlight our strength and resilience in the face of difficulties. Every design is a living story and a message.
What led you to pursuing a career in the realm of arts?
Life and my experiences drew me into art. Since childhood, drawing has been my refuge from life’s pressures. I’ve always loved expressing myself with a brush and colors. I grew up seeing the suffering of the people around us in Gaza, and every day, I faced new challenges and difficulties. Art was my way of escaping and expressing myself at the same time. I felt that I had a message to send to the world through colors and paintings. Art gives me strength and patience, and it helps me express pain and hope at the same time. Every painting I draw attempts to convey our reality and dreams as if it is a silent cry to the world. The desire to express myself and the people around me made me choose the art path.
You seem to be involved with different art practices from graphic design to illustration and digital art. How do you manage to juggle between so many disciplines?
Art is a unique melody that expresses me. Drawing, graphic design, and digital art complement each other, allowing me to express my feelings, thoughts, and Palestinian identity in different ways. Art is my space to escape; I can get lost in its details and create from the bottom of my heart. Balance comes from passion, and when you genuinely love what you do and feel your identity and land in every brushstroke or design, you find time for everything and give it its due. Palestine represents inspiration and resilience, and every piece of art is a story from its land.
What is it like being a creative in Palestine? What are some of the struggles you encounter you wish people knew?
Being a Palestinian means living your day between hope and challenge. We try to create beauty despite everything, the pressures we face every day. The idea is not just in drawing or design; it is that you express your dreams, pain, and hope in your paintings and works and that they convey an important message. Pressures start with restrictions on movement, difficulty obtaining the necessary tools, and continuous power outages. There are also psychological pressures from the occupation, the bombing and the constant sound of warplanes. Sometimes I feel frustrated and severely depressed, which I resist and express through drawing. Sometimes, every painting or design we make is a message to the world, saying “We are here, we dream and create despite all the circumstances.” Hope keeps us going, and Palestine is our source of inspiration.
Given the amount of struggles related to education and the access to the internet in Palestine, could you tell us about how you were trained? Where and which resources did you find to develop your skills?
Education in Gaza faces many challenges, from the difficulty of reaching schools and universities due to checkpoints, closures, bombing, and destruction to the scarcity of educational resources. The internet is also not always easily available, and we face frequent interruptions. Currently, due to the war, in order to get an internet connection, I have to walk miles despite the bombing and destruction. However, we resist despite all fatigue, exhaustion and fear, for the sake of ourselves and our identity. I trained through the Internet when it was available. I learned a lot from YouTube and the free courses that are available online. Some local organizations also provide workshops and training courses for young people. Writing and reading were a big part of my educational journey. I used to read anything I could get my hands on, whether books or articles.
My insistence and efforts are motivated by my desire to leave an impact and a presence, and not just be a number. The support of family and friends also played a big role. Despite difficult circumstances, we always find new ways to develop our skills and prove that creativity and education are unstoppable. We dream of a better future, and that is what keeps us going.
What role does your cultural heritage play in your work? How do you incorporate elements of Palestinian culture into your art?
In fact, cultural heritage is a great source of inspiration in my work. Our Palestinian roots and historical legacy are very deep, naturally reflected in my art and everything I present. I always try to incorporate elements of Palestinian culture into my work, whether in colors, themes, or even heritage symbols. When I start a new project, I first work on understanding the cultural and historical aspects related to the subject. Then, I try to integrate these elements modern and creatively into the artwork, as if I am writing a story. I usually try to balance cultural depth and contemporary artistic expression so that the work is comprehensive and expressive at the same time. Palestinian heritage is not just a random addition to my designs but rather a vital and inherent part of all of them. It is a source of strength and identity and helps me deliver my message in a deeper and more honest way to the people who interact with my work.
Can you tell us a little bit more about your collaboration with Palestinian Hustle?
In 2019, we outlined our first idea of cooperation, “Stronger together.” Because we share a common cause, enthusiasm was very high, and cooperating with them was an important step for me. When the founder Samer (Fidy) spoke to me for the first time, a long relationship of artistic cooperation rooted in our cause and the message we wanted to share with the world began to form. Our first collaboration aimed to send a message to every person who receives our design that you are not alone, we are with you, beside you, from east to west, from everywhere in the world.
Being from Gaza, there was a very big challenge, from electricity to excellent internet, but of course, the difficulties we live with give pleasure, life, and a story to everything I do. So, the first collaboration was a message to me and everyone who strives and lives with difficulties. Since 2019, we have started a deep-rooted journey of cooperation that ended with the design of the “NATIVE” collection, which I designed while living in a grinding ruin, displaced in Rafah, under bombing, death, threats, and the lack of all means of life, such as electricity, internet, water, etc. To be able to communicate with Samer regarding the design, I had to walk miles and start looking for places where the internet was available and charge my device so that I could communicate.
How do you see the future of the arts in Palestine? What changes or developments would you like to see?
Frankly, despite all the challenges it may face, I see a promising future for the arts in Palestine. Art in Palestine expresses identity and resilience and conveys social and political issues in a powerful and influential way. Our land has borne many great artists, and because of the war in Gaza, we have lost many of them and a great artistic legacy. I hope to see increased support for local artists and the creation of larger spaces for artistic expression, whether through art exhibitions, workshops, or even better digital support for artists to communicate with each other and with the public. I dream of seeing more opportunities for young Palestinians to develop their talents and express their ideas freely and without restrictions. Art is a common language that brings people together and conveys a message of peace and solidarity from Palestine to the whole world.
Looking ahead, what are some of your goals or aspirations for your career?
In the future, my most important goal is to deliver my message and ideas to as many people as possible in an influential and inspiring way. I want to develop my artistic skills more and more, and innovate in my work continuously, in order to reach a world-class level in my field. I want to be part of a positive change in my community, especially for young people who dream of art and creativity. I want to contribute to creating opportunities for them and help them develop their talents and achieve their dreams, just as they helped me in my journey.
What advice would you give to young artists in Palestine or other regions facing similar challenges?
My advice to young artists in Palestine or any region facing similar challenges is to continue to believe in their dreams and be patient with all the challenges they may face. The path to excellence is not easy, but determination, persistence and dedication make the difference. Don’t be afraid to express yourself and unleash your imagination because art is a powerful means of expression and change. Artists are part of their country’s history and culture, and every drawing, tune, or word can change a person’s life. Good luck to every young artist. I hope they reach the farthest limits of excellence and creativity and continue to inspire the world with their art and wonderful talents.
