7 decades by Khan Shamim Akhtar

7 Decades* shows the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people from the start of Israeli occupation to the Present day. The complex, layered design symbolizes the cycles of violence, where brief moments of calm are interrupted by sudden attacks. Each section, like a building that collapses piece by piece, represents a time of destruction, trapping lives underneath. Palestinians, similar to those caught under debris, exist in a state of uncertainty, unsure whether survival will last minutes, days, or years; their fate depends on Israel’s decisions or the heavy weight of circumstance. The uneven edges and disrupted visual flow reflect the instability and fragility of life under siege. This artwork portrays not only a political history but also the suffocating reality of living through decades of occupation. Time is marked by constant suffering, and survival becomes both a daily struggle and a part of their history.

This artwork was exhibited at Method in the group exhibition "The Parliament is Now in Session" (August 2025)