Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour dies aged 79

Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour has passed away at the age of 79. In a statement released by his family, they expressed their profound grief, describing the loss as "beyond words." Mansour's family noted that he leaves behind a life rich with "beauty, memory, and a legacy that will continue to live through all those he touched." However, they emphasized that personally, they are mourning the loss of a beloved father, their source of "love, strength, and home."

Born in Birzeit, close to Ramallah, in 1947, Mansour completed his studies at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem in 1970. He went on to become a pivotal figure in Palestinian art for over five decades. In 1994, Mansour co-founded the Al-Wasiti Art Centre in East Jerusalem, an institution dedicated to preserving Palestinian art and fostering connections between artists living in Palestine and those in exile. He also served on the founding board of the International Academy of Art Palestine in Ramallah.

Mansour's artistic contributions played a significant role in shaping a visual language for Palestinian identity. He frequently drew upon the land and the themes of displacement and occupation, often incorporating traditional embroidery and olive trees into his works.