DNA

Born in 1981 in Gaza, Mohammed ElKurd is a visual artist currently residing in Gaza. He holds a Diploma in Graphic Design from Gaza Training College (2001) and a bachelor’s degree in art education from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Al-Aqsa University (2005).

Mohammed is a member of the Paleta Group for Contemporary Art - Palestine and the Arab Fine Artists Fingerprints Group. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions both in Gaza and internationally.

In 2021, Mohammed was awarded a residency program at Shababeek for Contemporary Art in Gaza, where he developed his project “Struggle.” That same year, he presented his project “In the Heart of the World” at the Third Gaza Festival for Contemporary Arts, organized by the Gaza Association for Arts and Culture.

ElKurd endured the horrors of war like many others in the area. On October 20, 2023, a massive missile struck his brother's nearby two-story house, reducing it to a 10-meter-deep crater and killing everyone inside. The explosion severely damaged the artist's home, destroyed much of his studio and artwork, and injured his children. Forced to seek refuge in a local shelter, he found the conditions there dire. Within ten days, he repaired part of his home and moved back with his family, despite ongoing bombings in the vicinity.

Determined to help children cope with the trauma, the artist began independently organizing art workshops. Starting with his own children and neighborhood kids, he gradually expanded the initiative to displacement camps, ultimately reaching around 600 children. His efforts were fueled by a deep passion for art and a commitment to making a difference.