Palestinian artist/cartoonist Mahasen al-Khateeb died in an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia on October 18. She was 32.
Mahasen was a popular digital illustrator, storyboard artist, and character designer for domestic and international clients. Two weeks before the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, she had opened a private studio. During the Israeli response, she lost the studio, her art supplies, and half of her home. Unlike others, she remained in northern Gaza as others fled south.
She gained a sizable following for her art and videos. Through her social media accounts, she shared her life in Gaza after the invasion. She frequently expressed gratitude for the positive aspects of her life. A GoFundMe account allowed her to support her family and keep publishing her art.
Jumana Shahin, a student and friend remarked:
Mahasen was a painter, storyboard artist, freelance character designer, and digital art mentor, supporting her family through her work. She used her talent to advocate for Palestinian rights and raise awareness of Israeli violations in Palestine.
Even during the war, she launched free online courses in freelance digital art to help those with internet access create a source of income.
“Mahasen was one of the most professional, humble, and lovely artists in Gaza.”
“She left a lasting impression on everyone she taught or met.”
Mahasen faced many challenges living in Gaza. For a digital artist, electricity was a scarce necessity. From her obit at Science and Nonduality we learn about her resourcefulness.
But being a digital artist in Gaza came with a relentless challenge: electricity. The power shortage, always an issue, became even more critical after the war. Without electricity, Mahasin’s work was impossible. She often had to take her device to neighbors, hospitals, or any place she could find electricity to charge it. Each charge gave her only three hours of work, precious time that became her only window to the outside world.
After tremendous effort and perseverance, she saved enough money to install a small solar power system. For Mahasin, art was never just about survival. It was her way of staying connected to her identity, her family, and her past. It gave her the strength to rebuild what had been shattered. Every painting she created was a bridge to the life she had before the war—a life filled with color, hope, and possibility.
How can I escape…. Every human being escapes in his own way from the reality that he lives I chose to run away in colors I chose to escape and separate from reality in a special world that has sweet things… But I do not deny that all the failed escape cases with cheerful colors, and I am broken inside trying to make beauty, but behind it there are big fractures, continuous attempts, perhaps ??
Mahasen-al-khateeb on Instagram July 29, 2024
Her final art piece was posted mere hours before her death. The illustration depicted the death of 19 year-old Shabaan Al-Dalu, who was burned alive. The caption read, “Tell me what you’re feeling when you see anybody burning…”
