What I have Learned (Fill in the Blank) — Gaza Series
Content Warning: Graphic references to and images of war, violence, oppression, death, racism, and xenophobia
In the face of daily bombing, starvation, and grief, Gaza has continued to survive and resist in face of the violence. Despite the thousands of lives lost and the trauma that will endure for generations, the Palestinians are resilient as they hope to build a future of peace.
The collage elements in “Untitled (Gaza 1),” “Untitled (Gaza 2),” and “Untitled (Gaza 3)” are photos of bombed hospitals in Gaza, sourced from the internet and originally taken by photojournalists. I chose to depict the destruction without showing blood or graphic violence, as a way to honor the lives lost through their absence rather than their suffering. Israeli forces have killed 1,581 (UN Human Rights office cited the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine) Palestinians working in Gaza’s health sector according to the Palestinian health ministry. Hospitals have become battlegrounds and Gaza’s health care system has been destroyed. As of 2025, over 1,100 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict intensified, according to Gaza health ministry reports from late 2024.
The black charcoal screaming figure that is present in all of the collage drawings is an anthropomorphic bipolar neuron. Bipolar neurons are nerve cells that transmit information from sensory organs to the brain. The bipolar neurons are responsible for processing visual, auditory, olfactory, and balance information. I wanted to recognize the genocide in Gaza and not be desensitized to it.
Since creating this series in 2024, there has been a fragile ceasefire in affect since October 2025, but airstrikes have continued. Despite the tenuous peace and a devastated infrastructure, I am reminded that Palestinians aspire towards their dreams and joy in their lives. Let’s imagine that.
*Note: This Gaza series is part of a larger series of over 90 drawings on the lined paper entitled, “What I have learned. (Fill in the Blank)” that began during the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Untitled (Gaza 1)
charcoal, collage on lined paper, 2024, 36″ x 24″
Drawn with charcoal on lightly lined manila paper is a representation of a bipolar neuron bent over. Where the cell soma would be is a screaming photo collaged mouth. The expression is emphasized with charcoal smears. Below the axon feet are clouds of smoke of bombed hospitals in Gaza collected from online photos
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Untitled (Gaza 2)
charcoal, collage on lined paper, 2024, 36″ x 24″
Collaged on lightly lined paper around the perimeter are the fiery remains of bombed hospitals in Gaza. In the center running the length of the paper is a screaming bipolar neuron encircled by the destruction as if trapped.
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Untitled (Gaza 3)
charcoal, collage on lined paper, 2024, 36″ x 24″
Collaged on lightly lined paper on the top are bombed hospitals in Gaza tilting to the right collected from online photos. Hanging upside down is a bipolar neuron with a screaming photo collage of a mouth. Charcoal smears emphasizes its expression.
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Untitled (World Central Kitchen)
charcoal, collage on lined paper, 2024, 36″ x 24″
A screaming bipolar neuron drawn with charcoal is balanced on an avalanche of bombed vehicles from the caravan of World Central Kitchen, watermelons, and rotting fruit. In the lower left corner are people praying on rugs.
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Untitled (Healthcare Workers)
charcoal, collage on lined paper, 2024, 36″ x 24″
In the shape of a mosque arch is a mosaic like photo collage of the remains of a bombed hospitals in Gaza that includes a wheelchair, hospital beds and doors that open to more rubble. This image is framed with a thin border of buildings prior to bombing.
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Untitled (Grief)
charcoal, collage on lined paper, 2024, 36″ x 24″
Collaged on lightly lined paper are small to increasingly larger white shapes like clouds. On closer inspection, the shapes are swaddled bodies in white cloth. Falling upside down is a screaming bipolar neuron. Two brown arms reach up and holds a swaddled baby in white cloth with blood seeping through.
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Read Chanika’s review of The Agency of Access: Contemporary Disability Art and Institutional Critique in this issue of Wordgathering.
About the Artist
Chanika Svetvilas is an interdisciplinary artist. For more information about her work, visit chanikasvetvilas.com or follow her on Instagram @Chanika Svetvilas.