{
  "id": 3223311,
  "title": "Seven paintings by Sliman Mansour that highlight legacy of great Palestinian artist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/seven-paintings-by-sliman-mansour-that-highlight-legacy-of-great-3223311",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T07:50:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art-design/2026/08/25/seven-paintings-by-sliman-mansour-that-highlight-legacy-of-great-palestinian-artist/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seven paintings by Sliman Mansour are being celebrated for their powerful portrayal of the Palestinian experience under occupation. Mansour, who passed away at 79, used symbolism and metaphor to evoke the displacement and suffering of his people.\n\nOne of his most iconic works, Jamal Al Mahamel (Camel of Hardship), depicts an old man carrying a sack containing the remnants of his home and village. This painting encapsulates the metaphor of displacement faced by Palestinians today.\n\nOther notable works include Symbol of Hope (1985), which offers a glimmer of optimism amid the devastation of the Israeli occupation. The painting features a dove in the night sky, a mother cradling her children, and people on rooftops witnessing a miraculous sight.\n\nOlive Harvest (1988) showcases the enduring spirit of Palestinians who continue to work their land despite the occupation. Mansour chose mud as a medium to create this piece, reflecting the resilience and defiance of his people.\n\nRituals Under Occupation (1989) employs biblical imagery, with a crowd carrying a cross wrapped in the Palestinian flag. This painting represents the ongoing burden of occupation and the collective grief of Palestinians.\n\nShrinking Object (1996) is a poignant reminder of the destruction of Palestinian towns and villages. The map of Palestine, drawn in mud, cracks and fragments as it dries, symbolizing the ongoing displacement and loss.\n\nThe Sea is Mine (2016) juxtaposes the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, highlighting the stark differences in experiences along the same coastline. The painting features figures marching with pens, brushes, books, and rifles, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for control.\n\nFinally, From the River to the Sea (2021) pays tribute to the Nakba, the catastrophic expulsion of Palestinians in 1948. The image of a woman embracing a tree that bears fruit symbolizes the ongoing displacement and erasure of Palestinians, emphasizing that the Nakba remains a present-day reality.",
  "summary": "The rope is taut against his head, chafing his palms as he takes one determined step after another. The load on his back is crushing. It is Jerusalem, its culture and history, and yet the old man’s grip is unwavering as he perseveres ahead. He knows what is at stake if he lets the burden fall, if he lets the contents of the sack spill to the ground. Sliman Mansour ’s Jamal Al Mahamel , also…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "‘A giant of Palestinian and Arab art’: Tributes pour in for Sliman Mansour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/a-giant-of-palestinian-and-arab-art-tributes-pour-in-for-sliman",
        "published": "2026-08-25T06:36:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}