A new art exhibition has opened in London, showcasing work by the relatives of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks.
The multimedia display is a joint project between the Israeli embassy in London and the Kamim Foundation, an organisation dedicated to rebuilding the lives of the hostage families to mark the latter’s European launch.
It was the first of a series of debut events set to be held in Soho’s Omer Tiroche art gallery.
Co-hosted by British-Israeli Noam Sagi, whose mother Ada was taken from her home by Hamas terrorists and released after 53 days, the exhibition features the moving works of several dozen influential Israeli artists, including Idit Ohel, the mother of 23-year-old hostage Alon Ohel.
Entrance Path by Michal Geva, on display at the Omer Tiroche Gallery.
“Kamim has been very supportive of us as a family and I think it gives us the comfort that when Alon comes home, he will receive the support he needs from Kamim,” said Idit, who joined for the launch of the exhibition. Her ceramic bowl titled ‘Freedom’ is on display in the gallery, for sale alongside the other artworks with all proceeds going toward Kamim’s work of uplifting the hostage families.
“In this time of crisis where it’s very hard to breathe, for me especially from October 7 doing art has been amazing because it helps me cope, it helps me feel centred, it helps me feel in control,” she said. "For that I think art is so special. And also I think my pieces tell a story, so when you see my piece you think about Alon and about the hostages and this time that they’re in right now, and for me it’s another way of seeing our story in a different light."
Blue White and Gold by Israeli artist Gil Goren, displayed at the Omer Tiroche Gallery in Soho.
Idit has spoken often about the healing role of art and music since Alon, a talented pianist, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. She and her family have been campaigning tirelessly for his safe return ever since.
Kamim, which was established by members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, relatives of hostages and philanthropic volunteers, focuses on financial, emotional and occupational rehabilitation for the hostages and their families. Members of the foundation include former Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, who acts its honorary president.
“We are bringing in a new kind of philanthropic foundation with different projects and models of fundraising that everyone – the stakeholders, the donors the beneficiaries – can participate in,” said Kamim’s CEO Shay Shoham. “It’s not only just fundraising, there is added value via different aspects like culture, and I think you’ll see more and more of that to come.”
Sacrifice by Ofra Zimbalista on display at Kamim Foundation's exhibition in London this week.
Joint projects with the private sector and the Israeli government will also facilitate the three pillars of Kamim’s aim of providing financial, emotional and occupational assistance to hostage families, according to Shoham.
Noam Sagi added that the exhibition is an apt representation of the foundation’s aims, with collaboration between Israeli and local art communities serving as a reminder of the selfless work of volunteers and those involved to help the hostage families.
“It is extremely meaningful for us as a medium for the expression of pain, hope, expectations, and the art here on the walls being donated by the artists and the proceeds going to the families - it’s something that we very much appreciate,” Sagi said.
