“Hospital Is Not a War Zone” cartoon exhibit opens in Tehran

According to The Iran Project,Titled "Hospital Is Not a War Zone," the exhibition features 51 artworks by 35 artists from 24 different countries.

Jorge Snchez Amas from Cuba, Sameh Samir from Egypt, Luc Descheemaeker from Belgium, Carlos Latuff from Brazil, Naji Banaji from Morocco, Jose Antonio Rodriguez Garcia from Mexico and Rosa Cerruto from Italy are among the participants in this exhibition.

The head of North Khorasan's Art Bureau, Akram Sediqi, who organized the event, emphasized that hospitals are not considered as war zones globally and should not be subjected to bombing or attack according to human rights laws.

“However, the Zionist regime bombed Gaza hospitals with various excuses,” she said and added: “As a response, cartoonist artists were swiftly invited to express their perspectives on this issue through their works.”

Curator Abbas Nasseri, a cartoon artist from Bojnord, successfully gathered international artists to contribute their works to shed light on the Zionist attack on hospitals, she explained.

Sediqi mentioned that the exhibition's next goal is to be showcased in other countries alongside the participation of international artists.

Iranian and foreign cartoonist artists have refused to remain silent about the horrifying events of the bombing of hospitals in Gaza, according to Abbas Nasseri, the curator of the exhibition.

“After the incident, we witnessed the creation of many works on this topic. On the other hand, since I am cautious about doing repetitive work, I found this subject unique despite being unpleasant and tragic,” he explained.

The exhibition features original and first-hand works from international artists and aims to shed light on the Zionist regime's crimes against non-military establishments, particularly hospitals, and the merciless killing of innocent people, including children, in Gaza, he noted.

Nasseri expressed that some may perceive such initiatives as a waste of capital and money, but he reassured that the artworks in this exhibition were created sincerely, with the artists investing their credibility into the cause. Moreover, the names of the artists involved in the exhibition are enough to unsettle Zionists, Nasseri asserted.

For his part, Mohammad Zarui Nasrabad, the director of the Visual Arts Center of the Art Bureau, emphasized that the current global conflict is an unequal and media-driven battle.

Drawing a comparison between cultural warfare and military warfare, he noted the effectiveness of artistic tools as forces that can provide influential and swift responses.

Nasrabad highlighted the significance of visual arts, particularly cartoons and graphics, as long-range weapons and points of attack. He stressed the importance of utilizing the language of art in order to make an impact.

He considered the presence of international artists as a distinguishing aspect of the exhibition. He stated that not only were special works created specifically for the event, but international artists also participated, highlighting the global perspective adopted for this exhibition.

This perspective raises thought-provoking questions and conveys a message that Iranians are not the only ones who are unresponsive to the war-mongering of the Zionists. Artists from diverse backgrounds have reacted to this situation, considering it a humanitarian issue, and have sent their works as a response.

He emphasized the duty of supporting artists, with the Visual Arts Center eagerly embracing this responsibility in the realm of promotion and support.

The bombing of Gaza hospitals by Israeli forces is a flagrant violation of all principles of war and human laws. Hospitals are considered protected areas under international humanitarian law, and targeting them not only poses a grave threat to the lives of innocent civilians but also undermines the fundamental principles of medical neutrality and the right to access healthcare during armed conflicts. Such attacks on hospitals demonstrate a disregard for the principles of humanity, impartiality, and the duty to protect civilian populations.

Moreover, these bombings exacerbate the already dire situation in Gaza, where the healthcare system is already struggling to cope with limited resources and a high population density. Targeting hospitals not only destroys critical infrastructure but also denies innocent civilians access to life-saving medical services. These actions not only violate the rights of the Palestinian people but also erode the trust and impartiality necessary for healthcare workers to carry out their duties.

Reporter : Editorial of The Iran Project