The Lost Paintings, a Prelude to Return is an imagined recreation of the last exhibition held in Palestine by Palestinian-Lebanese artist Maroun Tomb, which opened on November 29, 1947, in Haifa. This significant date coincided with the UN’s approval of the Partition Plan of Palestine, an event that ignited the war and subsequent events known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” during which approximately 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homeland. Shortly after the opening, Tomb and his family were forced into exile and never allowed to return to their homes. The fate of the 53 oil paintings presented in the exhibition, as well as most of Tomb’s pre-1948 body of work, was lost to the war and its ensuing chaos.
The Lost Paintings project will convene 53 artists from across Palestine and the diaspora to each create their own interpretation of a single lost painting from the original exhibition, based on the few remaining records – the invitation to the 1947 opening and an inventory of the paintings displayed. While each artist brings a unique perspective, together, The Lost Paintings represents an effort to resurrect what was lost to the Nakba, serving as a humble prelude to the refugees’ anticipated return and an effort to reclaim a space for making that return a reality. This project underscores the power of art as a tool for resistance, providing a platform for reclaiming a stolen heritage through creative expression.
Showcasing the forefront of contemporary Palestinian art from across the world, the project brings together emerging young artists alongside established contemporaries and celebrated pioneers. Tracing the memory of paintings lost to the Nakba, The Lost Paintings examines loss and destruction on one hand, and the power of imagination and art in shaping new futures on the other. Through this artistic endeavor, the project emphasizes the resilience of a culture that refuses to be erased and highlights the indomitable spirit of Palestinian art.
This project started with the aim of highlighting the ongoing Nakba in Palestine, focusing on the cultural erasure and destruction, and resisting it by means of art. In the horror of witnessing the genocidal war on Gaza and the tens of thousands of lost lives, and the countless people doomed to become refugees for the second, third, or more times, there is a debilitating sense of futility in the face of the inconceivable death and destruction. Yet, this is countered by the momentous urgency of connecting the dots between the silenced past and the present. Through art, The Lost Paintings channels this urgency into a powerful act of defiance, turning creativity into a form of resistance.
By bringing together a diverse array of artists to reinterpret Maroun Tomb’s lost works, The Lost Paintings project not only resurrects a piece of Palestinian cultural history but also challenges the forces that seek to erase it. The artists’ reinterpretations serve as vivid reminders that the cultural and historical narratives of Palestine are alive and thriving, despite attempts to suppress them. The act of creating new art from the remnants of the past stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to resist, reclaim, and rebuild.
In the face of ongoing conflict and displacement, The Lost Paintings reaffirms the role of art in preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage. It is a bold statement that art can transcend the barriers of time and space, offering hope and resilience to those who have been dispossessed. Through this collective effort, the project envisions a future where the stories, dreams, and identities lost to the Nakba are not only remembered but also celebrated and carried forward by new generations of artists.
The Lost Paintings, therefore, serves as a crucial artistic endeavor, weaving together the threads of historical memory and contemporary resistance. It embodies the resilience of Palestinian culture and the unyielding hope for a future where the refugees’ return is not just an imagined recreation, but a tangible reality. Through art, this project not only mourns what has been lost but also envisions what can still be reclaimed and rebuilt.
The touring exhibition is scheduled to launch at the P21 Gallery in London sometime in 2025.
If you are interested in supporting this project and helping it become a reality, please consider making a donation. Your support, regardless of the amount, will make a significant impact.
