Untitled artwork by Basel El Maqusi, which will feature in the exhibition at the OXO Tower

• THE Tribune preview of the exhibition featuring work by Laila Kassab and five Palestinian artists from Gaza is a delight (Gaza’s ‘cry for recognition’, August 11).

Kassab’s paintings were first exhibited in the UK at the Assembly Hall in 2010. The Oxo Tower exhibition, starting today (Friday), will include a number of her new paintings, not previously shown in public.

There will also be a filmed interview with the artist, in which she explains the symbolism she uses in her paintings, such as the references to occupied Jerusalem. On Wednesday, the audience will be invited to have a conversation directly with artist Laila via a live video link starting at 3.30pm.

Islington Friends of Yibna has been supporting art classes for children by artist Laila. The resourceful artist is giving some joy to children, all of whom live under the savage siege imposed by Israel. Her creative and welcoming classes allow the children, traumatised by frequent Israeli bombardments, to express themselves and their loss of close family.

I’d like to thank the Islingtonians who generously donated to enable these art classes. I hope many will be able to come to the exhibition from 10am to 9pm daily from August 18-28 at the South Bank with the full programme at www.we-gaza.com/events

YAEL KAHN
Chair, Islington Friends of Yibna