From the years of Palestinian Slaughter

Dia Azzawi presented From the years of Palestinian Slaughter at the second edition of the Arab Biennale of Art in Rabat in 1976. Using figurative abstraction with warm colours, the Iraqi painter depicted a scene that carries a political message, in which the figures are fragmented. As the second edition of the Arab Biennale of Art showed strong solidarity with Palestine and its people, From the years of Palestinian Slaughter shows a deep commitment at the time when the regional armed conflicts against Palestine intensified.

This painting arguably alludes to the massacre of approximately 1,500 refugees in Tel al-Zaatar camp in Beirut, which occurred only a few months before the opening of the biennale. Like many Arab artists of the time, Azzawi dedicated a significant body of work to the Palestinian cause, in which he honored the concept of martyrdom.