Two boys walk along a heavily graffitied wall in the Palestinian town of Husan in the occupied West Bank.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: April 10, 2004
I know nothing else about this photograph except that it was taken in Husan. I found this photograph over five years ago but cannot remember where or how or in what context.
Although the photograph is slightly pixelated and the tone is cold, it remains one of my favorite images of all time. Palestinians are intimately familiar with graffitied walls. Wall art of this nature directly serves the surrounding community by providing reminders of lost loved ones, reminders to place their trust in Allah, reminders to remain steadfast against occupying forces, but also reminders of worlds inaccessible to them. This kind of declarative art can be found on walls of all kinds, particularly those that cut communities into pieces.
I have spent many hours searching for this photograph’s owner and backstory. In the process, I discovered new photographs and photographers that then led to a collection and, now, to this website. It is only fitting that Bayn Suwarna‘s very first spotlight falls on this image.