תערוכת נשים מספרות מלחמה
Women Tell War Exhibition
Group Exhibition
Curator: Osnat Israeli
Assistant Curator: Ofra Eitan
Anat Abukaya Grozovsky
Orly Landver Tarlovsky
Gila Meyers
Anat Ein-Dor
Limor Tsarfati Max
Alicia Shahaf
Merav Shin Ben-Alon
Throughout history, women have been underrepresented in many aspects of the historical record, particularly during times of war. Women’s voices, perspectives and achievements have often been overlooked or omitted from historical records, including written documents and works of art. Their extraordinary actions during the current war have demonstrated the immense significance of women’s contributions and their courage, both on the front lines and the home front.
The philosopher Simone de Beauvoir wrote: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman. No biological, psychological or economic destiny determines the identity of women in society.” Like any identity, female identity does not exist independently or inherently; it is shaped by social conventions and constructs. Alongside the movement to transform perceptions of gender roles, this war has reminded us once again that in an unequal world, women are often the first to be harmed.
On October 7, women’s bodies became a battlefield, with catastrophic consequences. The fear of sexual violence, embedded in the collective unconscious of women everywhere, was intensified for many of the women who witnessed the massacre. Others felt they had no means of escape and were unable to protect themselves in the face of the unfolding disaster.
Eden Association, which has operated in the Gaza border region since 1997 and specializes in trauma care for girls and women, undertook the mission of giving expression to women’s stories and strength through the Women Tell War exhibition.
Professor Judith Herman writes: “Art is an expression of the human soul, and it has the power to heal and liberate.” Creating a narrative in the face of trauma makes it possible to resist retreating from life in response to terror.
The Women Tell War exhibition takes us on a journey into the worlds of women artists responding to the October 7 war and giving voice to trauma and healing, hope and renewal.