Embroidered "We're Looking for Peace" Art by Refugee Women | Joy is Resistance

Joy is Resistance: We're Looking for Peace

Vision:
This original, hand-embroidered piece shows a woman in profile, her eyes closed. Her long black hair sweeps up into the shape of a wing. A white dove flies toward her and touches her lips, as if sharing a kiss. Her face and the dove's body flow into each other in black and white, so it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Above them are the words "We search for peace." The piece is signed by the artist.

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. In this piece, peace is not far away. It comes close enough to touch. The woman and the dove become one shape, dark and light woven together. Her hope for peace is part of who she is. Joy is in the search itself, and in never giving it up.

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 this artist, joy is peace held close, both within herself and for her homeland.

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
• 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