Meet the Cork women supporting Gaza through ‘craftivism’

IN the kitchen of her home in Cobh, chef and food writer Lilly Higgins has a fridge magnet with the phrase: ‘Art is the guarantee of sanity’. These words have taken on a special significance in recent months, as she has used her creative talents to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Lilly is part of a community of artists in Cork who are channelling their skills into support for Gaza. Through this ‘craftivism’, they hope to shine a light on what is happening, while also celebrating the rich cultural history of Palestine.

Lilly has always been interested in the food and culture of the Middle East, and owns several cookbooks from Palestinian chefs.

“It’s cuisine I’m drawn to,” she says. One of her sisters lives in Beirut, and Lilly has spent time in cookery schools in Jordan, “meeting people who do amazing work and listening to their stories.”

Closer to home, Lilly says; “Izz Café in Cork city always has great ingredients.”

In recent months, Lilly has been using her Instagram page to share Palestinian recipes and crafts with her 108,000 followers. She sees it as a way to “keep Palestine in our thoughts, minds, and hearts”.

During our conversation, she quotes the artist and activist Joan Baez, who said: “Action is the antidote to despair”.

For Lilly, creativity is a way of channeling feelings of helplessness into something impactful.

When I feel heartbroken about what’s happening, I sit down to make something. I might make Valentine’s cards, or plan a pop-up supper club, or make Palestinian cookies to share with friends.

Lilly praises Virginia and Donal of My Goodness Food in The English Market for their support. She says that without their dedicated ‘Goods For Gaza’ section, there would be nowhere for this work to be shared or sold. Artists and craftspeople are invited to sell their work in the stall, and all proceeds go to Palestine.

“They have facilitated their community to express themselves and I really appreciate it,” Lilly says.

Rich cultural history

At a time of immense suffering in Gaza, Lilly believes that art gives us something easy to share, such as beautiful posters, paintings, or music.

She says: “People find it hard to express how they feel, and can connect better with beautiful artwork than horrific videos.”

Art and food represent a way to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Palestine. Lilly says that this history is under threat now, and it is “more important than ever to celebrate and share it”.

Her goal is to keep people talking about Gaza.

“We march every week in Cork,” she says. 

Palestinian people keep going after 75 years, we can keep going after 25 weeks.

Everyone has a voice

It’s easy to fall into hopelessness and despair, but Lilly is determined to continue.

“It’s in my heart, all the time,” she says.

To anyone who wants to get involved, Lilly says there are many ways to show support.

“If you have an Instagram account, no matter how small your audience, everyone has a voice,” she says.

She mentions Cork Palestinian Solidarity, and says there are lots of local branches.

“It really does help to get involved, and you will make an impact.”

Badges for Palestine

Annie Mar Forrester is an artist based in Cork city. A few months ago, she started making badges to raise awareness and funds for Gaza. She is no stranger to using her craft to draw attention to social issues.

“Badges are my go-to with causes, as they have always been associated with activism,” she says.

She has previously made badges to support those in direct provision, and to highlight the growing housing crisis.

The badges Annie made for Palestine were instantly popular.

“People immediately latched onto them,” she says. 

It’s something small, not too expensive, and a way to show your support.

The badges are for sale on Annie’s website and in My Goodness Food as part of their ‘Goods For Gaza’ section. So far, Annie’s badges have raised over €1,300 through website sales alone, with all funds going to charities working on the ground in Gaza.

Link between Ireland and Palestine

Annie felt compelled to do something to support Gaza, having felt “so helpless” watching the suffering unfold over the last few months. She believes the link between Ireland and Palestine is strong, and recalls seeing protests on the street as a teenager in Cork city.

“As Irish people, we have a good understanding of Palestine, and always have,” she says.

“This is something that is happening in another country, but it’s also connected to what’s happening here.”

Through her work, Annie hopes to build community with other people who are supporting Palestine.

It supports you in your own actions, and helps you keep going. It brings people together.

For Annie, art is ‘critical’ as a form of activism, and has “always been a reaction to what is going on in the world”. She says it helps to “bring attention to something and make it more digestible to people.”

She is concerned about art being censored in some areas, with artists’ shows being cancelled in certain countries due to their pro-Palestinian stance.

“Art has always been a safe space to speak out,” she says. “It’s worrying to see barriers to this.”

To anyone feeling the urge to use their creative talents for activism, Annie’s advice is to “do what your heart is telling you to do”.

She recommends finding connections on social media, as the community and support is there.

Empty Bowls For Gaza

Martha Cashman is a ceramics artist based in Gurranabraher and originally from Ballymacoda. Having grown up on a farm as the daughter of a market gardener, food has always been a big part of Martha’s life. Her family always brought food wherever they went, and gave what they could to other people.

“Caring for others was instilled in us,” she says.

When Martha saw what was happening in Gaza, she wondered what she could do to help. She had heard of Empty Bowls, an international project to fight hunger that has been adapted by artists on a community level. With lack of food being a huge issue in Palestine over the past few months, she decided to organise Empty Bowls For Gaza.

The initial phase of the project was an event in Nano Nagle Place, where people made their own ceramic bowl and decorated it with a symbol or word of solidarity. Around 70 bowls were created and have since been kiln-fired and are ready for use.

For part two of the project, Martha is collaborating with chef Orla McAndrew and other artists to organise an event in St Peter’s, Cork, on April 13. Those who purchase a ticket will receive one of the empty bowls, and can fill it with Palestinian food. There will be poetry and music throughout the afternoon, and all funds raised will go to Médecins Sans Frontières to support their work in Gaza.

A return to community

“Art is so healing,” says Martha. “It takes your mind away from the drama of everyday life.”

The Empty Bowls workshop provided a quiet, reflective space for those who wanted to show their support for Gaza. “When you touch clay, your hands start doing the work. Your mind goes to rest,” she says.

For Martha, art as a form of activism is an opportunity to return to community, and remind people to take care of each other. Her advice for anyone who feels inspired to get involved is to “get out there and find the community, go for it”.

She says: “Don’t worry about whether it works. We’re not here to be perfect, just to make a little difference.”

Empty Bowls For Gaza takes place at St Peter’s Cork on April 13 at 2.30pm. Tickets via Eventbrite.