Skip to main content
Outstanding Palestinian art
JAN WOOLF urges you to visit a courageous and unusual exhibition of work that depicts the Palestinian diaspora
MOTHER COUNTRY: Palestinian artist Rasha Al Jundi's portrait of her mother

When The Grapes Were Sour
P21 Gallery, London

THIS fantastic exhibition of black-and-white photographic portraits of Palestinians — some young, some elderly — have been printed onto canvas, the margins of which have been dipped into coffee as burnish. 

The artist, Rasha Al Jundi, has then embroidered traditional Palestinian motifs into them (no face is obscured) carefully chosen to suit the sitter and their circumstances. 

Each one is an individual of the Palestinian diaspora, as is Rashan Al Jundi who lives in Nairobi. 

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
CONFRONTING HOMOPHOBIA: (L) FCB Cadell, The Boxer, c.1924; (
Exhibition review / 21 March 2025
21 March 2025
While the group known as the Colourists certainly reinvigorated Scottish painting, a new show is a welcome chance to reassess them, writes ANGUS REID
BLOOD ON THE TRACKS: Xilun Sun as the mysterious interloper
Film of the Week: / 20 March 2025
20 March 2025
ANGUS REID recommends an exquisite drama about the disturbing impact of the one child policy in contemporary China
Short Story / 7 February 2025
7 February 2025
The phrase “cruel to be kind” comes from Hamlet, but Shakespeare’s Prince didn’t go in for kidnap, explosive punches, and cigarette deprivation. Tam is different.
Frantz Fanon at a press conference during a writers' confere
BenchMarx / 28 January 2025
28 January 2025
ANGUS REID deconstructs a popular contemporary novel aimed at a ‘queer’ young adult readership
Similar stories
Daniel Lind-Ramos, Ensamblajes, Nottingham Contemporary
Exhibition review / 20 February 2025
20 February 2025
ANDY HEDGECOCK relishes two exhibitions that blur the boundaries between art and community engagement
Frank Auerbach, Head of EOW, 1960; John Berger; Peter Kennar
Culture / 12 December 2024
12 December 2024
The playwright and artist reflects on the ways in which reviewing can nourish the creative act
A panel from the Palestinian History Tapestry
Exhibition Review / 1 October 2024
1 October 2024
MARJORIE MAYO recommends an exhibition that asserts Palestinian history, culture and creativity in the face of strategies to erase them
Julia Margaret Cameron, Mountain Nymph, Sweet Liberty, 1865
Exhibition review / 21 June 2024
21 June 2024
LYNNE WALSH applauds a show of paintings that demonstrates the forward strides made by women over four centuries