Obliteration – Surviving the Inferno: Gaza’s Battle for Existence
Exhibition
The exhibition unfolds in five powerful stages, each capturing a phase of the terrifying war on Gaza. It traces its escalation over the past 12 months, following the genocidal assault launched by the Israeli occupation army on the civilians of Gaza on October 7th.
Each stage serves as powerful visual documentation, bearing witness to the unfolding tragedy on the ground. The images and accompanying texts aim to guide the public through the relentless devastation, urging a deeper understanding of the ongoing genocide in Gaza a catastrophe happening before the eyes of a paralyzed world. This exhibition confronts the harsh reality of the most appalling mass killing of our time.
Abdulrahman Zaqout, 'When Food and Water Become Weapons', presented at Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025.
About the Exhibition:
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, photography has played a vital role in exposing the Israeli occupation’s genocidal actions against Gaza’s civilians. These powerful images, shared globally via social media, news outlets, and protests, have raised international awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The exhibition showcases works by photographers from Gaza who have lived through and continue to endure the devastation of this brutal war. These works are part of the "Gaza Photography Grant," an initiative by the Kuwait-based "Humanitarian Photography Grant" founded by a group of photographers to support humanitarian photography projects. The exhibition unfolds in five powerful stages, each capturing a phase of the terrifying war on Gaza, the stages of this brutal war, which has killed nearly 50,000 lives, primarily women and children, and left over 15,000 victims under the rubble of their destroyed homes. Gaza has suffered mass destruction, with 80% of its infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and schools wiped out.
Participating Artists:
Abdulrahman Zaqout, Ahmed Salamah, Ali Jadallah, Belal Al Hams, Belal Khaled, Fatima Shbair, Jehad Al Shrafi, Mahmoud Abu Hamda, Majdi Fathi.
Belal Khaled, 'Tales Narrated by Hands', presented at Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025.
Majdi Fathi, 'Steadfastness and Defiance', presented at Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025.
Mahmoud Abu Hamda, 'Stories of the displaced people's life', presented at Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025.
ABOUT PHOTO HUMANITY GRANT
Fatima Shbair, 'The Back Door... Tearing Eyes and Weeping Voices', presented at Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025.
About Photo Humanity Grant:
Photo Humanity Grant is dedicated to harnessing the power of photography as a vital tool for storytelling, advocacy, and raising awareness about humanitarian issues. Recognizing the profound ability of images to capture life’s complexities, document realities, and inspire action, the grant was established to support photographers committed to shedding light on pressing social and human rights concerns.
By empowering visual storytellers, Photo Humanity Grant serves as a platform for impactful communication—amplifying voices, fostering empathy, and driving meaningful change through the art of photography.
Photo Humanity Grant https://photohumanity.org/en/home-en/
Image Courtesy of Sami Al Ramyan
About Sami Al Ramyan:
A documentary photographer from Kuwait and the Director of the Photo Humanity Grant, Sami Alramyan uses his lens to document humanitarian issues and shed light on the struggles of affected communities worldwide. He has worked on numerous documentary photography projects, including capturing education in impoverished countries, the water scarcity crisis in Africa, the plight of Syrian and Yemeni refugees, as well as covering the air bridge relief efforts during the Turkey earthquake and humanitarian aid responses in conflict and disaster zones.
His work has been published in renowned platforms such as National Geographic Arabia, Brownbook, and Aramco Magazine. He also curated the "Yemen Now" exhibition, held in both London and Kuwait, and was among the participants in the National Geographic Arabia exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
In 2022, he was selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for Photojournalists, organized by the U.S. Department of State across several American states. Believing in the power of photography to make an impact, he dedicates his efforts through the Photo Humanity Grant to support photographers in documenting stories that deserve to be told.
ABOUT THE CURATOR
Image Courtesy of Dr. Bahaaeldin Abudaya
About Dr. Bahaaeldin Abudaya
Chief Curator of Contemporary Art at Fire Station, Qatar Museums, and a lecturer at Georgetown University Qatar and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. Previously, he was a visiting professor of Middle Eastern Art History at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. He completed his Ph.D. in Aesthetics and Art History at Paris 8 University Saint-Denis and earned a Certificate in Museum Curatorial Studies from the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP), Paris.
An accomplished curator, he has organized numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally, showcasing contemporary and modern art from the Arab world and beyond. He is a prolific writer, having published several essays and articles on Middle Eastern art as well as short stories. He has delivered public lectures, moderated panel discussions, and led masterclasses on curatorial practices.
Dr. Abudaya has served as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, and at the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris. His primary research focuses on Palestinian art, politics, and the history of the Arab art movement.
VENUES & LOCATIONS
KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE
Katara Cultural Village, Qatar’s premier hub for arts and cultural exchange, provides the perfect setting for Tasweer’s exhibitions. As the largest and most diverse cultural project in the country, Katara brings communities together to experience the richness of global traditions and creative expression. With world-class galleries, theaters, and event spaces, Katara is committed to preserving Qatar’s heritage while fostering international dialogue through art. Tasweer’s exhibitions at Katara align with this vision, offering a space where photography becomes a powerful medium for storytelling, identity, and cultural reflection.
For Directions to the 'Obliteration – Surviving the Inferno: Gaza’s Battle for Existence' exhibition at Katara Cultural Village: Click here
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
