The Palestine Postcard Project, created in Skibbereen has raised more than €10,000 so far for Palestine, with more than 1,500 postcard sized artworks donated by over 600 artists.

The project created and led by Mich Maroney, Creative Director of Swerve, a literary and arts journal, and visual arts project space in Skibbereen, celebrates the role of art as a force for solidarity and change.

Mich became involved in activism for Palestine – including attending local marches and creating the Palestine Postcard Project to take a stand against the unlawful killing of women and children in Palestine.

‘I was inspired to act by the well informed and passionate words of Nasser Omar and Trish Lavelle of the West Cork for Palestine group who meet every Saturday in Skibbereen,’ she said.

‘The reason I started joining the Skibbereen march was because of the demographic – you know it’s women and children who are being slaughtered, it was so clear it was a war on children’ she said.

Mich also took inspiration from similar postcard projects, and she hoped the initiative would encourage artists to create works in unity and solidarity with Palestine.

‘I think artists feel helpless,’ she said. ‘We’re generally sort of stuck in our studios on our own beavering away, pretty inhibited really and kind of wondering what we can do to help, and actually it’s just an amazing way for artists to use their creativity and create something tangible that exists in the world as an object of resistance and compassion and hope.’

Mich believes that the postcards are unifying people, and she said the project has created a strong sense of community.

She is grateful to those she has worked alongside, including Paul O’Connell who worked on communications, Rob O’Hea who developed the website and Uilinn Arts Centre who exhibited and auctioned the works earlier this month. 

‘It’s just very moving to feel part of this community. It really feels like we’re part of something,’ she said.

Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork also expressed her support for the project.

‘I’m delighted to support the Postcards for Palestine Project, which brings artists and communities together in a shared act of compassion. This inspiring initiative shows the creativity to make a real difference and reflects the generosity and empathy that define West Cork,’ she said.

Each piece was sold for €50, and all funds will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) who provide critical support to the people of Palestine.

The postcards were made using a variety of mediums including paint, collage, print and textiles from artists across Ireland, the UK, France, Australia and even ‘death row’ in Texas.

Artists who contributed to the project include sculptor Eilis O’Connell, visual artist Aisling Roche and figurative painter Michael Ajerman.

Obie Weathers, an artist and activist who was sentenced to death as a teenager some 24 years ago in Texas also contributed artworks from death row.

Mich said she has been stunned by the response: ‘The project is about artists using their creativity as an act of compassion. The response has been quite frankly, overwhelming – more than 1,500 works have been donated, each one unique, each one a tangible act of unity and resistance linking artists and audiences across the globe.’

Mich is continuing to develop the project and hopes to hold more exhibitions and auctions in the near future. For more details visit www.palestinepostcardproject.com