The Most Powerful Weapon: Artistic Expression
- Ilzebé Flavia Du Toit
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Throughout history, art has served as a mirror to society, both reflecting its ‘triumphs and tribulations’, whilst also being a catalyst for change (Yousaf, 2023:44). Whether through paintings, street murals, music, literature, or performance, artists have responded to the harsh challenges faced within various societies with works that communicate powerful messages, challenge norms, and inspire action to bring about societal change – justice across cultures and generations.
Art acts as a powerful means of storytelling, enabling individuals to reclaim their narratives and challenge the prevailing narratives imposed by society. Visual arts offer a canvas in which diverse experiences are represented and brought to life, highlighting the lived realities of marginalised communities that are often overlooked. This representation, as Yousaf (2023:50) articulates, ‘is not merely about visibility but about empowerment, affirming the dignity and worth of individuals whose stories have been marginalised or silenced’. Indeed, whether it is a simple drawing or an exquisite painting, artistic expressions can be highly influential instruments due to the symbolic power they possess. Bourdieu (1991:166) defines symbolic power as, ‘an almost magical power, which enables one to obtain the equivalent of what is obtained through force, by virtue of the specific effect of mobilisation’.
The power of visual arts to shape perceptions, challenge norms and mobilise communities, is well-captured in the Palestinian street art on the West Bank barrier, which tells the story of resistance and resilience.
The Walls That Speak
During their struggle, despite facing considerable difficulties in the face of a more powerful opponent, Palestinians have shown a remarkable degree of resilience by using art as a means of storytelling, resistance and hope (Alim, 2020:47-48). Street art, particularly murals, lies at the heart of Palestinian resistance – walls have transformed into canvasses where artists depict the pain of displacement, the determination of resistance, and the dreams of liberation.
Palestinian visual art seeks to challenge occupation by creating murals filled with symbolically significant images in public spaces (Alim, 2020:57). One of the most striking examples can be found on the Israeli-built separation wall that runs through the West Bank. Rather than being a silent structure of division, the wall has been reclaimed by Palestinian artists as a space for protest. Each mural tells a story – of longing, defiance, and resilience in the face of a seemingly insurmountable force.
The well-known portrait of Palestinian militant Leila Khaled, known as a ‘heroine figure’ in Palestinian tradition of resistance, is regarded to be one of the most expressive graffiti images sketched on this wall (Alim, 2020:55).
According to Alim (2020:57) the facial expression portrayed in Khaled’s mural exudes hope and optimism whilst also rejecting the terrorist label that Israel attempts to assign to Palestinian iconic figures. Although her smiling face can be construed as a sign of hope aimed at Palestinians, the image does not detract from her militant self, portrayed through the keffiyeh and gun which is aimed at Israel.
Conclusion
Through their work, artists document pivotal events, movements, and revolutions. Consequently, visual arts act as historical archives, preserving the significant moments of society’s triumphs and tribulations for future generations (Yousaf, 2023:46). As history has shown, oppressive regimes may attempt to silence artists, but their messages endure – etched into murals – ensuring they do not go unheard and that the fight for justice continues.
Bibliography
Alim, E. 2020. The Art of Resistance in the Palestinian Struggle Against Israel. Turkish Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 7(1):45-80.
Bourdieu, P. 1991. Language and Symbolic Power. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Sean Hawkey. 2017. [Online]. Available: https://archive.lifeonearthpictures.com/image/I0000di8lpXgipvY [2025, February, 26].
Yousaf, Z. 2023. Artistic Responses to Societal Challenges: Addressing Issues of Injustice, Inequality, and Oppression. The Journal of Religion and Society, 1(2):44-56.
Edited by Stethen Liebenberg
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