Japanese diplomat creates art using sand from Israel, Palestinian region to pray for peace

The Mainichi

13 hours ago

TOKYO -- A Japanese diplomat is creating abstract art using sand from Israel and the Palestinian territories as symbols of prayers for peace, and his works have been praised in both regions.
Amid ongoing conflict between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas in the Palestinian autonomous territory of the Gaza Strip, Takashi Hattori, 51, continues to work on his art. His works have been exhibited in Tokyo and New York. What is he trying to convey?
After sticking sand on one canvas, Hattori painted a "maze" over it. As one progresses through the maze, they encounter a large black void. The artwork is titled "Labyrinth."
Its motif is inspired by the labyrinth in Greek mythology where the Minotaur, a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man, was imprisoned.
"The maze symbolizes 'problems' created by humans. As you navigate it, you inevitably reach hatred (the Minotaur). This represents Israel and Palestine being trapped by the monster of hatred," Hattori said.
The gritty texture of the sand gives the maze an eroded appearance, apparently symbolizing "the hope that human-made problems will eventually disappear."
From 2019 to 2023, Hattori, specializing in the Middle East, served as a counselor at the Representative Office of Japan to Palestine. Painting was his hobby, and his encounter with the rough and uneven sand of the Palestinian territories inspired him to incorporate it into his abstract art.
In a piece titled "Network," he put brown sand from the Palestinian region and white sand from southern Israel on the canvas, with multiple black lines running across it. Hattori explained that this illustrates that the divided cultures and regions are, in fact, interconnected and inseparable.
Amid the longstanding territorial conflict, Hattori has encapsulated the "life activities" embedded in the land within his artworks.
Hattori was surprised by the positive response from Jewish viewers. At an exhibition in West Jerusalem, many attendees understood and purchased his works. The proceeds were donated to a school where Jews learn about coexistence with Palestinians.
Meanwhile, in a group exhibition in Jerusalem's Old City, Palestinians praised his works saying that Hattori has expressed their feelings. He believes that the deep understanding of abstract art in both Judaism and Islam, which prohibit idolatry, may be a factor in the appreciation of his art.
Currently, Hattori is stationed at the Embassy of Japan in the Marshall Islands. While working on new pieces, conflict erupted between Hamas and Israel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he witnessed some level of cooperation between the two groups. He felt that mutual understanding was slowly but steadily expanding, making the resumption and prolongation of the conflict all the more painful.
In mid-June, Hattori held an exhibition in Tokyo's Minato Ward. He hopes to continue showcasing his works in various locations to raise awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
(Japanese original by Koji Miki, Digital Organization Group)