Gabrielle Bejani, a Lebanese Palestinian artist based in South London, created a new series of works in response to the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that was quickly broken. The series, exhibited as "Deliberate Dreams" at Beirut's Saleh Barakat Gallery in July 2025, uses painting, drawing, and collage to process grief, anger, and guilt over the violence. Bejani incorporates everyday cultural items like bougainvillea and 20th-century Lebanese postage stamps to explore themes of land, identity, and resistance, reclaiming darkness as a source of empowerment rather than a metaphor for evil.
The article matters because it highlights how contemporary artists are responding to geopolitical crises and personal trauma through their practice, using art as a tool for psychological survival and political commentary. Bejani's work reflects a broader trend of artists engaging with concepts of land, displacement, and colonial narratives, particularly in the context of Palestinian and Lebanese experiences. The exhibition also underscores the role of Beirut's art scene in hosting politically charged work that addresses ongoing conflicts in the region.