Hanadi Bader | Handala

Hanadi Bader Born in Al Khalil, Palestine. Hanadi Bader's work embodies magical realism, intertwined with constancy and nostalgia. Her art reflects a deep longing to return, with expressive realism dominating her vibrant color palette. Her creations overflow with open fields of blue, nature, and rainbows, despite often addressing the Palestinian woman's experience, highlighting human suffering and resilience. Hanadi's art symbolizes the maternal figure as an emblem of fertility, well-being, and visionary insight. Yet, her works remain full of optimism, celebrating the joy of colors and the breathtaking beauty of diverse flowers. Through her art, Hanadi captures the splendour and resilience of life's ever-changing landscapes.

This painting takes inspiration from Naji al-Ali’s iconic figure, Handala, yet reimagines him not as a perpetual child but as an adolescent — symbolizing the passage of time and the enduring hope carried across generations. The young figure stands barefoot among a field of poppies, each flower representing those who have sacrificed their lives for the dream of freedom. Before him lies Jerusalem, glowing like a vision through the clouds, unreachable yet ever-present in the heart. For many Palestinian children today, Jerusalem is not a place they have known firsthand, but a dream passed down by parents and grandparents — a city spoken of with love and longing since the Nakba of 1948. Whether living under occupation or in exile, the dream of return to Al-Quds unites Palestinians everywhere. This piece embodies that yearning, portraying Jerusalem as both memory and promise — a vision that refuses to fade.