VIERNULVIER installs Ghent's largest artwork 'Rooted in Resilience' on facade De Vooruit
VIERNULVIER is installing a new artwork by Palestinian artist Hamza Abu Ayyash on the facade of De Vooruit. The work, titled “Rooted in Resilience,” will cover our scaffolding during the building's renovation period, and will remain hanging until the end of August 2025.
Covering an area of 500 square meters (18 meters high and 28 meters wide), the artwork is a true feat to install.
The poem in the calligraphy:
By Force Of Habit
Ghassan Zaqtan
The soldier the patrol forgot in the park
The patrol the "border guards" forgot at the checkpoint
The checkpoint the occupation forgot on the threshold
The occupation that the politician forgot in our lives
The politician who was a soldier in the "occupation"!
The "Merkava" that the army forgot at school
The army that the war forgot in the city
The war that the general forgot in our sleep
The general who was driving the "Merkava".
They are still shooting at us
Without orders!
By Habit.
A CANVAS FOR SOLIDARITY AND COMMITMENT
This project is not only an artistic work, but also an expression of VIERNULVIER's solidarity with the Palestinian people. The artwork, which brings together calligraphic elements and flowering poppies, calls for hope. VIERNULVIER invites everyone to come see the artwork, participate in conversations and debates and not remain indifferent to the suffering of not only the war in Palestine but (forgotten) wars worldwide.
Hamza Abu Ayyash is a Palestinian artist living in Lebanon. He studied at KASK and calls Ghent ‘his home in Europe’. He sees this opportunity to show solidarity. The artwork transforms the facade of VIERNULVIER and calls for awareness and hope. The work explores themes of perseverance, remembrance and living amidst oppression. The inspiration for the canvas was Ghassan Zaqtan's poem ‘By Force of Habit’.
This project is not just about creating a visually powerful work, but using art as a tool for solidarity and connection. 'Rooted in Resilience' aims to strike an emotional chord with viewers and prompt them to reflect on the strength of those who resist displacement and the resilience of communities striving for justice and dignity.”
- Hamza Abu Ayash
VIERNULVIER'S COMMITMENT
VIERNULVIER works in different ways to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and Palestine, without wanting to be blind to other wars. Since Oct. 7, VIERNULVIER has been projecting the number of people killed in Gaza on the side wall of De Vooruit every day. In addition, VIERNULVIER organized two benefits for Gaza and was also heavily involved in the organization of “Eye on Palestine” and “Palestine Café.
ART PRINTS
Free A5 postcards depicting Ghassan Zaqtan's artwork and poem will soon be distributed at the VIERNULVIER café. More about the artist and this work in particular can be found on his website.
