Join artist Ibrahim Abusitta for an artist talk on his work, including a tour of this exhibition at TPFF.

Biography: 

Ibrahim Abusitta (he/him) is a Toronto-based visual artist with a diverse background in both photography and painting. His works intricately blend elements of colour, texture, memory, and time, inviting viewers into a contemplative space. Graduating with a BFA from OCAD University in 2013, he has since exhibited his art in space such as The Next Contemporary (Toronto, ON), Sovern (Los Angeles, CA), and Smoke the Moon (Santa Fe, NM). Notably, his contributions extend beyond the canvas; in 2020, Abusitta offered insights into BIPOC representation in commercial galleries through his writing for Canadian Art magazine. Recently, his painting ‘Head Space 33’ was chosen as the cover art for The Malahat Review, a Canadian quarterly literary magazine.

Artist Statement: 

In his work, Ibrahim Abusitta explores the rich tapestry of Palestinian history and present realities. Blending personal imagery, ancestral narratives, and depictions of momentous events, he offers a multifaceted exploration of the Palestinian experience.

Central to his work is the motif of a house, symbolizing his grandparents’ home destroyed in the recent Gaza assault. This motif serves as both frame and outline, grounding viewers in the concept of home and its significance in Palestinian narratives.

Inspired by vivid hues of memory and dream-like collective consciousness, his paintings traverse past, present, and imagined futures. Through an interplay of colours and contrasting scenes, he invites viewers on a visual journey where history converges with contemporary struggles, and personal stories intertwine with broader narratives of resistance and resilience.

Amid media imagery depicting war atrocities, the artist aims to offer a nuanced perspective acknowledging complex historical layers and the enduring spirit of people seeking liberation. By highlighting significant moments recognizable to those familiar with the Palestinian cause, he strives to foster empathy, understanding, and deeper engagement with the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom.

LEARN MORE: www.ibrahimabusitta.com/

TPFF invites our young fans to join Malak Mattar, a world reknown artist from Gaza, for a reading of her picture book Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story followed by a book-making activity with graphic novellist Nadia Shammas (Squire). All children welcome (best suited for ages 12 and under).

Location: The Gallery, Lightbox (lobby)

Gaza artist Malak Mattar join us for TPFF's children program. In addition to being an internationally celebrated artist, Malak is also a children's book author: Sitti's Bird is a sensitive and heart warming story of how a little girl in Gaza finds strength and hope through her painting. 

For our young TPFF fans, Malak will do a reading of Sitti's Bird and engage in discussion with the children. Following the reading, we will do a crafting project together. Malak will also be signing copies of her book - reserve an advance copy via the online registration form. 

Sitti's Bird: A Gaza Story

Malak is a little girl who lives in Gaza with her parents. She goes to school, plays in the ocean, and visits Sitti’s house on Fridays. One day while she is in school, bombings begin. She spends the next 50 days at home with her parents worrying and feeling scared, until one day she picks up her paintbrush ....  Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story is a unique children’s picture book, written and illustrated by Palestinian artist, Malak Mattar. Reflecting her experiences of childhood in occupied Palestine, Malak’s story brings warmth and wonder to children as it tells of her rebirth as an artist during the 2014 airstrikes on Gaza. It is the story of a young girl whose love for her family and discovery of art help her channel her fears and overcome traumas that few of us can imagine—traumas shared by countless children in Gaza and around the world.

For Adult fans…

TPFF is proud to be hosting an art exhibition featuring Malak Mattar’s 2024 mural entitled No Words. The exhibition is in the lobby in the Lightbox, alongside the art works of Ibrahim Abusitta. 

On Thursday, Sept 26 at 6:45 pm, Malak will be doing an Artist Salon with Afikra to explore her body of artworks, and the inspiration behind her world renown works.    

Biography

Malak Mattar (b. 1999) is an artist from Gaza, Palestine. Self-taught, she paints expressionist faces, figures and semi-abstract designs. Malak started painting at the age of thirteen. During the 51-day Israeli military assault on Gaza in 2014 that forced her to stay inside her house, she felt a compelling need to release all her pent-up emotions. That opened up a world of self-expression for her. Mattar has produced well over 300 paintings.

Unable to leave Gaza due to the blockade, Mattar shared her colourful and bold works with the world via social media--Instagram and Facebook. On her fourteenth birthday, she was selling her work to buyers around the world. Her artwork garnered interest from galleries beyond Palestine as she has held many solo and group exhibitions in Jerusalem, France, Spain, Turkey, Costa Rica, India, England, United States. 

While developing her artistic talent, Malak Mattar also excelled academically, achieving the highest GPA in the Gaza strip in 2017 in her senior year of high school and the second-highest GPA in Palestine in the year earlier. Malak recently completed an artist residency in London with An Effort, and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins in London.

Mattar has seen three aggressions on Gaza in her childhood and has been deeply touched by these tragic events. She has authored a children’s book: Sitti's bird - a story from Gaza inspired by her life story.

Malak Mattar paints in acrylic and oil on canvas. Until recently, her works featured bright colours and patterns often depicting a female subject. The motifs of those paintings range from profound feelings to dream visions and abstract concepts. Presently, Mattar’s works depict scenes and stories coming out of the genocide - the images are painted or sketched in greytones - and capture the devastation of the ongoing bombardment and impacts for forced displacement. Her latest and most ambitious work, No Words, completed February 2024, is featured at TPFF 2024 art exhibition. 

Copresented with: Another Story Bookshop

TPFF and Afikra are pleased to present an artist salon featuring world reknown artist from Gaza, Malak Mattar in conversation with Khaled Malas.

Join us for a special afikra | عفكرة Salon at TPFF featuring Palestinian artist from Gaza, Malak Mattar.  Malak will be joined in conversation with Khaled Malas from afikra | عفكرة.  Malak will be presenting her artistic journey and sharing with the audience her inspirations and her process in creating her many works including her most recent collection in response to the genocide. 

TPFF is proud to be hosting an art exhibition featuring Malak Mattar’s 2024 mural entitled No Words. The exhibition is in the lobby in the Lightbox, alongside the art works of Ibrahim Abusitta. 

On Saturday, Sept 28 at 1pm, Malak will be doing a children’s program that will include her reading her picture book: Sitti's bird - a story from Gaza inspired by her life story.  The books will be sold at TPFF.   

Biography

Malak Mattar (b. 1999) is an artist from Gaza, Palestine. Self-taught, she paints expressionist faces, figures and semi-abstract designs. Malak started painting at the age of thirteen. During the 51-day Israeli military assault on Gaza in 2014 that forced her to stay inside her house, she felt a compelling need to release all her pent-up emotions. That opened up a world of self-expression for her. Mattar has produced well over 300 paintings.

Unable to leave Gaza due to the blockade, Mattar shared her colourful and bold works with the world via social media--Instagram and Facebook. On her fourteenth birthday, she was selling her work to buyers around the world. Her artwork garnered interest from galleries beyond Palestine as she has held many solo and group exhibitions in Jerusalem, France, Spain, Turkey, Costa Rica, India, England, United States. 

While developing her artistic talent, Malak Mattar also excelled academically, achieving the highest GPA in the Gaza strip in 2017 in her senior year of high school and the second-highest GPA in Palestine in the year earlier. Malak recently completed an artist residency in London with An Effort, and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins in London.

Mattar has seen three aggressions on Gaza in her childhood and has been deeply touched by these tragic events. She has authored a children’s book: Sitti's bird - a story from Gaza inspired by her life story.

Malak Mattar paints in acrylic and oil on canvas. Until recently, her works featured bright colours and patterns often depicting a female subject. The motifs of those paintings range from profound feelings to dream visions and abstract concepts. Presently, Mattar’s works depict scenes and stories coming out of the genocide - the images are painted or sketched in greytones - and capture the devastation of the ongoing bombardment and impacts for forced displacement. Her latest and most ambitious work, No Words, completed February 2024, is featured at TPFF 2024 art exhibition.