Embroidered "To Be or Not to Be" Women Face and Hands Art by Refugee Women | Joy is Resistance

Joy is Resistance: To Be or Not to Be

Vision:
This original, hand-embroidered piece shows a woman's face held gently between two large lavender hands. Her eyes are closed. Her face is calm. Green leaves grow from her hair like a crown, spilling down past her cheek. At the bottom are the words "To be or not to be." The piece is signed by the artist, Fatima.

Meaning:
To keep making beautiful things after losing a home is a quiet act of defiance. It says: you cannot take this from me. For the women of Shatila, joy is resistance. The artist borrows a famous question: to be or not to be. Her image gives the answer. She chooses to be. She holds herself with care, and new life grows from her. Choosing to exist, to rest, and to grow is its own kind of resistance.

In the Artists' Words:
"All the pieces express belonging to home, the search for inner peace, and the hope for peace in the homeland. The women chose these images because they reflect their own feelings and experiences. For them, home means comfort, safety, and tenderness. And the homeland holds a special place in their hearts, no matter how many years they have lived as refugees, far from it. These works are not just pictures. They carry the feelings, memories, and wishes each woman holds. Through them, she expresses her longing for peace and stability, in her home and in her country."

Purpose:
This work creates meaningful employment for women affected by conflict and a steady source of income. Proceeds go directly to the artist and fund education for girls at the Alsama Project.

Artist's Process:
Each artist chose and printed an image that meant "joy" to her. She then embroidered it by hand, adding her own story and hopes to every stitch. For Fatima, joy is inner peace: holding herself gently and letting something new grow.

Impact:
Every purchase helps a displaced woman rebuild her life with dignity. It also keeps girls in school. This piece is more than art. It is a small act of solidarity.

Details:

• Original hand-embroidered artwork, framed (30 x 40 cm with mat)
• Signed by the artist, Fatima
• Made by refugee women, mothers of Alsama Project students, in Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon
• Each piece tells a personal story of resilience and hope
• 100% of proceeds support the artist and girls' education at Alsama