Based in Brussels, Palestinian artist Ismail Matar draws on calligraphy, painting and mural art to translate symbols of hope, freedom and belonging into images. His work is inspired by a deep and unbreakable connection to his homeland, identity and collective memory.
His calligraphic works, composed of letters that come to life in vibrant and evocative forms, tell stories suspended between past and present.
At the heart of his approach is also a desire to pass on his knowledge: in Gaza, Ismail invited children to paint alongside him, offering them a space for expression to release buried emotions and re-enchant their daily lives through creation. Each work thus becomes an act of gentle resistance, a shared dream, an artistic affirmation of a possible future.
External siteLetters Without Borders (in French)