Gaza artists honour Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds with mural on rubble

In Gaza City, Palestinian artists have commemorated Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds with a mural painted on the rubble of a destroyed building. The artwork, crafted on the wall of a structure damaged in Israeli attacks, portrays the American singer alongside a Palestinian flag. The mural serves as a token of gratitude for Reynolds' support of Palestinians, following a moment during an Imagine Dragons concert in Milan on May 27, where he held a Palestinian flag and kissed it, an act that sparked widespread online sharing.

Among the mural's creators is Palestinian artist Anne Ridvan, 26. She has transformed damaged buildings into canvases for her work, using her art to inject color into streets marred by destruction and to send messages to the global community. Ridvan expressed her desire to convey a simple message of thanks to Reynolds for his solidarity and for raising the Palestinian flag.

The creation of the mural, she said, comes with its own set of challenges, including the quest for materials and the ever-present threat of attacks during the painting process.

This mural follows another by Ridvan, depicting rapper Macklemore, who faced controversy after calling for a "Free Palestine" and was removed from Ed Sheeran's tour. The Reynolds-themed mural is timed to appear before the singer and Imagine Dragons, due to return to the UAE for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts at Etihad Park on December 5.

This will be the band's first performance in the UAE since their successful concert at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena in 2023. Imagine Dragons, formed in Las Vegas in 2008, have become globally renowned pop-rock stars, with hits like Radioactive, Demons, Believer, and Thunder. Reynolds' gesture during the Milan concert, alongside the band's past decision to perform in Israel, garnered attention and sparked discussions.