Art for a free Palestine by Laura Baran
Art as resistance & mutual aid
I make autobiographical art to heal and mirror our times.
In Gaza, the imperial war machine uses children as the testing ground for AI weaponry and state-sponsored starvation.
I reject zionism; there is no "art as usual" during a genocide.
Why me
I stand with survivors, like my friend Diana Moneer, a 23 year old writer from Gaza whose portrait I painted.
I’m a Jewish mother, daughter of an immigrant, and grandchild of Nazi holocaust survivors, so I carry a deep moral obligation to denounce fascism and genocide.
My work is a visual heartbeat for liberation.
Solidarity with Palestine
A few of my hand-painted original cards of Palestinian land are available in my shop, with proceeds going to vetted mutual aid.
The October 7, 2023 Al-Aqsa Flood was a response to generations of Israeli apartheid and colonial occupation.
The illegal Israeli/US/Western occupation of Palestine continues their catastrophic genocide and ecocide.
Lenape Land Acknowledgment
I respectfully acknowledge the Lenape people and all traditional owners of the territories where I reside and create.
I pay my respects to all First Nations elders past, present, and emerging.
Join me and support survivors!
Honor. Humanize. Support.
This is young Mira, who is currently in Gaza. Her survival fund is linked here.
I paint portraits of Palestinian people and land, as well as influencers who use their platforms to denounce oppression.
These watercolor and ink portraits serve a direct purpose: mutual aid.
The goal is to honor Palestinian families and re-humanize those trapped under genocidal siege.
Each portrait BELOw is linked to a vetted survival fund verified by Bees & Watermelons, Operation Olive Branch, or The Butterfly Effect Project.
This is a watercolor of my friend Rewaa’s 2 boys, Obaida and Saeed. Their family fund is linked here. Thank you for standing with them.
I take zero proceeds from this project.
Every donation goes directly to families to help them access life-saving care.
Please click a portrait to donate directly to a family’s fund:
“Influence the influencers” — Shahid Bolsen quote
2024
I MADE portraits of influential voices FOR mutual aid
Each image links to a vetted Palestinian family's survival fund, providing a lifeline for those trapped under genocidal siege.
Please click a portrait to contribute directly to the care of the families they represent:
Watercolor and acrylic ink on paper
PORTRAIT OF Amanda Gelender for Aya & Moamen’s family
Watercolor and acrylic ink on paper
PORTRAIT OF Sammyrabbit for Dina Mohammed and fam
Watercolor and acrylic ink on paper
Our children have rights to creativity and safety in Gaza and everywhere
2025
Artist Intelligence:
Protect Children’s Rights to Safety and Creativity
Acrylic on canvas, 16 in x 20 in
The National Arts Club
15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY
The 33rd Annual National Arts Club Roundtable Exhibition: ”AI - Artist Intelligence” June 9 - 27, 2025
Contact me directly to inquire about this painting.
Painted edges with symbols of the “Right of Return” inspired by and honorING Tatreez, Palestinian embroidery
Proceeds if sold go to the Gazan-Led Community Support Fund (@gazanledcsf)
Protest Art from My Perspective
2024
Below are Selected works published by The Nation (2024).
Ink and acrylic on paper
Prints are available in my online shop. Proceeds go directly to vetted Palestinian mutual aid funds.
Drawings of Palestinian Land, Olive Trees, and Ancient Natural Beauty
2024-2023
The October 2023 Al-Aqsa Flood was a response to generations of Israeli apartheid and colonial occupation.
Funded by Western imperialists and war profiteers, this illegal, immoral occupation continues a catastrophic campaign of genocide and ecocide — from the mass killing of Palestinians to the systematic destruction of ancient olive trees.
I created these drawings with acrylic ink and markers to HONOR the natural beauty of this ancient place, PALESTINE.
Most have been purchased through my online shop, but a few are still available.
All proceeds go to vetted Palestinian mutual aid funds.
