Under the Olive Tree

Mixed media on canvas, 120cm x 150cm (47 in x 59in), 2024

A lone olive tree stands atop a rocky Palestinian hill, overlooking the villages and surrounding landscape. The olive tree symbolizes the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of occupation and displacement. This work bridges the past with reference to the Maroun Tomb exhibition and the present through contemporary Palestinian art, creating a surreal connection that drew me in.

Dalia Ali is a Jordanian-Palestinian visual artist. She received a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design and a Masters of Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. Ali has participated in group and solo exhibitions worldwide, with a style that ranges from abstract to more representational– using bold, expressive strokes that combine balanced composition and thought-provoking themes. Her paintings often focus on her identity: her Palestinian roots and ancestry; the Amman cityscape where she resides; and the environment that inspires her and the human relationships that touch her life.