Italian artist tears paintings of Virgin Mary to reveal images of Palestinian mothers in Gaza

Italian artist Eduardo Castaldo has unveiled a new installation in Naples that transforms religious paintings of the Virgin Mary to reveal photographs of Palestinian mothers and children in Gaza. This powerful piece is part of his Holy Mothers of Gaza series, which uses Christian imagery to bring attention to the suffering of Palestinian women and children.

The artist unveiled the artwork at the Pappacoda Chapel, located within the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore, before an audience comprising students, teachers, and residents.

The photograph beneath the Virgin Mary painting was captured by Palestinian photojournalist Omar El Qattaa, whose work showcases the human cost of the war. Rather than completely removing the religious image, Castaldo tears away a portion of the artwork, merging the images of the two mothers and their children. This juxtaposition highlights the similarities between Christian portrayals of maternal love and the experiences of Palestinian mothers, who strive to safeguard their children amid the conflict.

Following the unveiling, Castaldo delivered a presentation at the nearby Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore alongside Italian art historian Tomaso Montanari. This event was part of Vedi Napoli Sacra e Misteriosa e Poi Torni, a cultural program organized by the City of Naples and the Archdiocese of Naples. The program aims to unite art, spirituality, and discussions about peace.

The Holy Mothers of Gaza series spans across Naples, where Castaldo has incorporated photographs taken by Palestinian photojournalists into paintings of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Many of these pieces are exhibited in traditional religious shrines known as edicole votive, which are prevalent in Naples' streets and neighborhoods. One particularly striking work combines a painting of the Virgin Mary with a photograph of a Palestinian mother holding her deceased child, wrapped in a white shroud.

Other photographers featured in the project include Belal Khaled, Ali Jadallah, Ahmad Hasaballah, and El Qattaa. These installations can be found throughout Naples' historic center, with their locations marked on an online map that enables visitors to explore the artworks throughout the city. Castaldo's use of photojournalism to create art activism stems from his personal experience covering conflicts in the Middle East.

Initially focusing on organized crime and social issues in southern Italy, Castaldo later spent nearly eight years reporting on political unrest and conflict across the Middle East for international publications. His work in Egypt earned him a World Press Photo award in 2012.

However, in 2014, Castaldo decided to distance himself from photojournalism. Reflecting on his previous work, he expressed concerns about his position as a western photographer capturing vulnerable moments of people from the Middle East for western newspapers. He felt that he was contributing to a narrative that he did not agree with and that he no longer wanted to use those pictures.

Instead, Castaldo began working with photographs taken by Palestinian photojournalists to create thought-provoking art installations that shed light on the experiences of Palestinian mothers and children.