Born in Gaza in 1976, Mohamed Abusal is a prominent contemporary Palestinian artist whose work combines conceptual research with multimedia expressions to critique the socio-political and technological constraints of life in Gaza. Although he earned a BA in Accounting from the Islamic University of Gaza in 1999, Abusal’s passion for art led him to pursue self-development in multimedia and graphic techniques. From 2002 to 2011, he refined his skills through workshops and courses in graphic design, mural painting, and photography, studying under esteemed mentors like Professor Marwan Kassab Bachi at Darat Al-Funun Art Academy in Amman, Jordan.

His artistic journey began in the late 1990s with participation in group exhibitions in Gaza. Abusal’s work is distinguished by its exploration of themes such as urban infrastructure, survival, and the paradoxes of comfort amid adversity. His projects often serve as both critique and reflection, challenging viewers to reconsider the realities of life in Gaza. One of his most iconic works, Metro in Gaza (2012), imagines a provocative metro network for the city. This conceptual project features illuminated metro signs photographed at hypothetical station locations, symbolizing hope and connectivity amidst Gaza's restrictions. Another celebrated project, Shambar (2013), documents the ingenious lighting solutions devised by Gaza residents during power outages, combining photography and painting. This series has been exhibited internationally, including at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and is part of the Imperial War Museum collection in London. Similarly, Pain-Fortable transforms rubble from bombed buildings into luxury furniture, offering a sharp critique of the false comfort provided amid destruction.

Abusal’s solo exhibitions have been featured worldwide in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Dubai, and Palestine. Notable exhibitions include Ugly Products That Don’t Serve Your Rights (2021) at Eltiqa Gallery in Gaza, Thorns in Bloom (2016) at Zawyeh Gallery in Ramallah, and Passive (2011) at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. His work has also been part of major group exhibitions, such as DOCUMENTA 15 in Kassel, Germany (2022), the Sharjah Architecture Triennial (2020), the 19th Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh (2020), and the Young Artist of the Year Award in Ramallah (2004)↗.

Throughout his career, Abusal has received numerous accolades, including the Charles Aspry Prize for Contemporary Art in 2005 and a residency at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris in 2011. He has also garnered awards from organizations like AFAC and Al-Mawred for groundbreaking projects such as Metro in Gaza, Shambar, and Pain-Fortable. Beyond his artistic practice, Abusal has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary art in Gaza. He co-founded the Eltiqa Group for contemporary art in 2002 and the HAWAF Collective, which recently launched the virtual SAHAB Imaginary Museum. With a career spanning over two decades, Mohamed Abusal continues to be a prominent artist. Through his innovative art projects, he inspires dialogue on resilience, identity, and the profound power of creativity to reimagine the world. 

Abusal suffered a devastating loss in October 2024 when his family home, studio along with his artworks, and all their contents were destroyed in a bombing during the ongoing brutal genocidal war on Gaza.