I created this illustration as a visual response to my visit to Palestine and the spirit, integrity and courage that I had the privilege of learning and witnessing about through a group visit in April of 2024. Though we exist in different spaces, circumstances and continents, the themes of resisting colonisation, generational trauma, border separation and control, does not feel so foreign to me. I feel that this history in Korea is often relegated to the past, but the detrimental effects still permeates throughout the present, whether it be societally or even within my family relationships. I read about the Arabic words "صمود - sumud" (steadfastedness, resilience) and "قهر / qahr” and how the definition mirrored the Korean word “한/Han.” Both highlight the sense of collective, internalised anger that is passed down to generations, as a result of colonisation and systemic oppression.

Though what I empathise with is, perhaps, a shadow of the past in contrast to the horrors in Gaza and the West Bank, it is still important to remember.

I wanted the image of a massive olive tree to dominate the space as a reminder that we are a very, small part of the diverse ecosystem and that we are interdependent with it. Empires and colonial systems always denigrate and destroy nature whether it is through mass destruction in the name of “progress”— highway structures for efficiency or obliterating the natural flora for land grabbing. The olive tree remains a significant symbol for Palestine, with its lush leaves, gold fruit and deep roots. I was and am still angry when I heard the stories of settlers razing and chopping trees and killing livestock— do they understand how difficult and how long it takes for a tree to grow? Or to heal? This becomes an acrid allegory about the people of Palestine.

Beyond the man made powers that oppress, destroy and control, I know that when everything stops, the olive trees will grow back. The poppies will bloom and the wild thyme will sprout. The people will smile and laugh, as they have done and still continue to do.

They will be limited to the month of December and January in the link with all the proceeds going to Community Peacemaker Teams - Palestine.
CPT-Palestine is building partnerships to transform violence and oppression. They support Palestinian-led, nonviolent, grassroots resistance against the Israeli Occupation, through solidarity and advocacy with Palestinians living in the H2 area of Al-Khalil/Hebron city, and south Hebron Hills.

Museum-quality giclée printed posters made on thick matte paper.

• Size: 11”x14”

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan