Andrej Getman

This painting captures the harrowing reality faced by a Palestinian boy in the midst of conflict and uncertainty…. He might not have a life free from fear, might not survive the day, might not find anything to eat or a safe place to sleep. He might not even be alive tomorrow, his existence precarious in a world fraught with violence. His chances of getting an education are fragile, overshadowed by the constant threat of war and displacement.

This painting is based on one of video footage that I came across from Palestine. The boy in the painting was rescued by a rescue team after a bomb explosion, covered fully in dust and dirt. Honestly, he didn’t look older than 5 years old to me. It’s not clear whether his parents are alive or not, at that stage a rescue team was still looking for them as far as I understood. I tried to do some research, but I couldn’t find any information about their status. The most heartbreaking part of the video was hearing this little boy saying, ‘I wasn’t afraid, I was just screaming for mom and dad. I wasn’t afraid, I am brave.’ I’m not sure who he is trying to convince the rescue team or himself… No child or adult in this world should ever have to go through such a traumatic experience. I can’t confirm whether this boy is still alive today. But at least he is alive and safe in this painting, in my studio…