Art for a free Palestine by Laura Baran
Art as Resistance & Mutual Aid
2024 acrylic on paper
Why me
I make autobiographical art to heal and mirror our times.
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.
I stand with survivors, like my friend Diana Moneer, a 23 year old writer from Gaza whose portrait I painted.
Solidarity with Palestine
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.
The events of October 2023 were a response to generations of Israeli apartheid and colonial occupation.
Today, funded by Western imperialists, the illegal Israeli/US occupation of Palestine continues catastrophic genocide and ecocide — from the mass killing of civilians and children to the systematic destruction of ancient olive trees.
A few of my hand-painted original cards of Palestinian land and nature are available in my shop, with proceeds going to vetted mutual aid.
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.
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.
This is young Mira, who is currently in Gaza. Her survival fund is linked here.
Each portrait BELOw is linked to a vetted survival fund verified by Bees & Watermelons, Operation Olive Branch, or The Butterfly Effect Project.
I take zero proceeds from this project. Every donation goes directly to families to help them access life-saving care.
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.
Please click a portrait to donate directly to a family’s fund:
“Influence the influencers” — Shahid Bolsen quote
2024
These portraits of influential voices for liberation also serve a direct purpose: mutual aid.
Each image links to a vetted Gaza family's survival fund providing a lifeline for those currently 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
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).
All are 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 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 ACCLAIM 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.
