«Define Child» is the title of the photography exhibition by Palestinian artist Sabrina Mukarker -curated by Stefania Pieralice with a critical introduction by Daniele Radini Tedeschi -which will be held in Rome from October 20 to November 20 at Spazio Start. Eight shots teach us how to dream within large prisons, for all children- here of Palestinian origin- aim high toward the sky, beyond every barrier. Eight photographs depict innocent resilience, filled with wonder: "We Don't Know Borders" portrays a child pointing to a kite drawn on the Israeli separation barrier, the same kite destined to carry him beyond confinement; and "Jerusalem, a Shadow" captures the dream of a boy flying, clinging to five red balloons, overcoming the wall of isolation. An emblem of resistance to the horrors of war is offered by the little Palestinian girl from the community of Masafer Yatta who, despite losing her bombed-out home, sleeps peacefully in a cave where any means of subsistence have been reduced to nothing. Yet, the exhibition also shows a child deprived of his imagination, since his childhood and his life were taken from him. This is thirteen year old Mohammad Rizeq Salah, shot in the spine by a sniper on February 22, 2022. After losing a massive amount of blood, soldiers stripped him of his clothes and threw his body from the top of the separation wall. The next day, his remains were wrapped in a plastic bag, before the eyes of his family, which continue to set his plate at the table and wait for him to come home from school. The photograph "Our Friend Martyr" portrays Mohammad's classmates, each of them seated at their own desks; a front-row seat, an apparent empty chair, stays reserved for him and his preserved memory. The exhibition is an intense meditation on the bare, pure humanity which transcends political interests and nationalism, making no distinction between the children of life and those of death. A newborn deprived of his childhood is no more a child just as a land deprived of its children. The exhibition is included in the Rome Art Week program.
Born in 1989 in Bethlehem, she is a Palestinian photographer and visual artist specializing in children's photography. Sabrina grew up in Beit Jala, Palestine, and her work often explores themes of Palestinian motherhood, childhood, and culture. Since 2010, she has run her own photography studio, the first in Palestine specialized in newborn photography. Throughout her career, Sabrina has gained much recognition for her powerful photos and her focus on storytelling through her images. Her work reflects both technical expertise and a deep understanding of emotions, capturing moments of joy, love, and resilience. Sabrina has won several awards, including second place in the "Imagine Freedom" competition organized by "The Walled Off Hotel" (2023). She was also named "Artist of the Year" in 2023 by “Dar Al Majus” Guest House in Bethlehem. In 2017, she won first place in the "Through Their Eyes - Women at Work" competition, and her works have been featured in both local and international exhibitions in various countries. Sabrina's photography often addresses the challenges faced by Palestinian women and children due to the Israeli occupation. Whether capturing the miracle of new life or the deep bonds between people, her work reflects the beauty of life, culture, and the perseverance of the Palestinian people. At the heart of her images is a story of resilience—a story of a people deeply rooted in their land, bravely showing their lives burdened with challenges and restrictions. Her photographs portray Palestinian women as symbols of strength and independence, capable of overcoming hardship. The wall and checkpoints form the backdrop of their daily reality. Her photos express a longing for freedom, not only in the physical world but also in spirit, where hope and determination persist. Sabrina has participated in many group and solo exhibitions. Some of her most important exhibits include her solo show “She Remembersذاكرة “ in Italy (2025), and her solo show "The Occupation of Innocence" in Scotland (2023), a special exhibition commemorating the Nakba at the Scottish Parliament (2023), and the group exhibition for the "Karimeh Abbud" competition at Dar Al-Kalima University (2018), where she presented her project "Jerusalem... a shadow." She also participated in various joint exhibitions over the years organized by the municipalities of Beit Jala, Bethlehem, Birzeit University, and internationally in Germany and Scotland. She is currently part of the administrative board of the "Photographers for Palestine Network" in Scotland and globally. She is also the founder of the Palestinian fairtrade artistic project “Bokaj”.
