London landmarks host Israeli art exhibition commemorating 7 October terror
Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, Covent Garden and Oxford Circus display works by 12 artists including depiction of hostage Kfir Bibas
A powerful exhibition created by artists based in Israel following the horrific events of 7 October has been transported to London.
The showcase, launched by The World Zionist Organisation’s (WZO) department of Israel and the Holocaust Commemoration was initially installed at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.
Led by WZO vice-chairman Gil Segal and the head of WZO in the UK and Europe, Matan Bar Noy and his team, it was created in collaboration with volunteers from the 7/10 Human Chain Project, one of the main organisers of the rallies and installations that have taken place in the UK since 7 October, with a focus on bringing the hostages home.
The works on display depict the collective pain of the Israeli people since the Hamas terror atrocities and illustrate the grief around those who were kidnapped and murdered.
The creations include artwork depicting a ginger-haired baby, believed to be Kfir Bibas, behind bars, who has spent more than a quarter of his life in captivity, along his mother and brother.
Another piece portrays a baby lying inside a bleeding poppy symbolising the unimaginable number of children and babies who were murdered on 7 October, and the 40 children who were kidnapped to the terror tunnels of Hamas.
A third artwork named “Hope” shows a dove flying away from the tied hands of a person, reflecting the desperation and helplessness felt by so many in relation to the kidnapped.
Matan Bar Noy, head of WZO in the UK and Europe said: “We have selected a handful of examples out of hundreds of works created after October 7th. In addition to the valuable works shown here in the UK, this exhibition provides an artistic point of view and incorporates Jewish and Israeli values. The details offer a much-needed deeper understanding of the situation Israel is currently facing.”
The exhibition will move around key locations in London including Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, Covent Garden and Oxford Circus.
It was created by 12 independent artists and is an initiative by the artist Rotem Mor.
Matan Bar Noy added: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Jewish community for embracing Israel during this difficult period and as Theodor Herzl said in 1897 at the first Zionist Congress in Basel; ‘we are a people – one people’.”
According to Orit Eyal-Fibeesh, a co-founder of the 7/10 Human Chain, the exhibition offers another opportunity to create much-needed awareness among the British public about the horrific events of October 7th.
She said: “This is particularly important considering the growing hatred seen in the streets of London over the last few months. Hatred that is often fuelled by bias and lack of awareness.”
As Israelis, and Jews worldwide, advocate the safe return of the Israeli hostages kidnapped from Israel, WZO vice president Gil Segal, hopes that the creative exhibition will offer the unaware an opportunity to learn, understand the challenges, and foster empathy.
Calling on Israel’s allies in the civilized Western world to “help put a stop to terror and incitement of hate”, he said: “Today, we mark over 140 days with 134 hostages still held by Hamas under terrible conditions. At this moment, I extend a prayer for their lives and their safe return home. I wish for a full recovery to all those who were physically and mentally wounded and I want I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who are supporting our efforts to bring them home now.”
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