Birzeit — The Palestinian Museum, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, announced today the opening of the exhibition “A Watchful Eye for Details”. The show features 120 artworks created by students from various school levels across the West Bank. Through their work, students engaged with the styles of prominent Palestinian artists Mustafa Al-Hallaj and Jawad Ibrahim, drawing inspiration from their symbolic imagery and expressive techniques.
This exhibition is the result of a strategic partnership aimed at nurturing students’ artistic and aesthetic sensibilities, and at opening pathways for them to explore visual arts as a medium of expression, inquiry, and knowledge-building. It aligns with the Ministry of Education’s broader educational vision to integrate the arts into the learning process, foster critical engagement with both Palestinian and global visual art movements, and cultivate visual awareness of the contributions of Palestinian artists to the contemporary art scene.
The exhibition showcases a wide range of artworks representing all school levels and is divided into three sections, each reflecting the distinct perspective of a particular age group. Students in grades 1 to 4 tackled the theme “I Portray Myself as a Famous Figure,” inviting a gentle exploration of self-image and identity, where each drawing becomes a window into how heroism and uniqueness dwell in their young features.
Students in grades 5 to 9 engaged in a visual conversation with the works of artist Jawad Ibrahim. Guided by their teachers and Ministry supervisors, they explored his colour palettes, line work, and creative techniques, while delving into the ideas that animate his visual world. Meanwhile, students in grades 10 and 11 worked on a mural project inspired by “The River of Life” by renowned artist Mustafa Al-Hallaj. They experimented with his methods, tools, and symbolic vocabulary, drawing closer to the mythic and humanistic dimensions of his work.
Sarah Zahran, Education Program Officer at the Palestinian Museum, emphasized that the exhibition highlights the creative potential of children in Palestinian schools and raises important questions about the roles of the Ministry of Education and cultural institutions in supporting and sustaining children's cultural production. “These artworks demonstrate sharp observational skills and notable technical ability in students, the oldest of whom is just sixteen”, she noted. “Displaying their work in a professional space like the Palestinian Museum may have a lasting impact on their lives, deepening their interest in the arts and encouraging wider community conversations around how art can empower children to express their concerns and ask big questions about their social and political realities”.
Rania Al-Amoudi, Head of the Arts Activities Department at the Ministry of Education, stated that this marks the fourth consecutive annual exhibition in a series led by the Ministry. Each year, the Ministry selects influential Palestinian artists whose work has shaped the Palestinian visual arts movement, providing students with an opportunity to study and creatively respond to their legacy. She explained that the initiative stems from the Ministry’s belief that art is a vital tool for expression, identity, and presence. It also contributes to developing students’ visual literacy and broadening their awareness of Palestinian artistic contributions on both the local and global levels.
In celebration of this creative journey, the Palestinian Museum and the Ministry of Education proudly present the students’ selected works within the Museum’s galleries. In this shared space, where vision is shaped by experience, young artists stand alongside those who came before them, walking together toward the light, toward Palestine, and toward the enduring promise of return.
The Palestinian Museum is an independent, non-governmental cultural institution dedicated to fostering an open and dynamic Palestinian culture on both local and international levels. It contributes to the production and presentation of new narratives about Palestinian history, culture, and society. The museum also provides a space for creative projects, educational programs, and innovative research, making it one of Palestine’s most significant contemporary cultural initiatives.
