DescriptionMalak Matar first started painting at the age of 13 during the 51-day Israeli military assault on Gaza in 2014. Forced to stay inside for her own safety, she was compelled to express her fear, anxiety and sheer terror through paint on canvas. Mattar started painting with art supplies from her local school, using basic watercolor on paper. An artistic prodigy and inspiration to the Palestinian people around the world, Mattar has produced over 300 paintings ever since. The three women in “1948” are seated at a table: one witnessed the murder of a loved one, another sits in absence of her children who live abroad during Ramadan, and another cannot decide if she is happy or sad. One of the women represents Mattar’s mother, and the other two are mothers of each Palestinian in the diaspora. The dove on the plate represents the hope of the Palestinian people to one day see their loved ones again. The dove sits on the plate, as if it is holding a place for them at the table.