Kamal Boullata 1942 – 2019

Mourned by Lovers of Art and Seekers of Justice

The Palestinian artist and art historian Kamal Boullata passed away on August 6, 2019. Kamal was born in Jerusalem and exhibited throughout the world. His book Palestinian Art: From 1850 to the Present is a major resource. Throughout his life Kamal was generous to friends, human rights advocates, and causes.

Kamal’s last major work was the limited edition silkscreen print Qasida, which he created to benefit Al-Shabaka. Indeed, Kamal was one of the first members of Al-Shabaka’s policy network and he oversaw early designs of the organization’s logo. Together with his beloved wife Lily Farhoud, he was in close contact with the Al-Shabaka team as he worked on Qasida and traveled to Beirut for the launch of the print this June. The print continues to be on offer and information may be found here.

Many of us were privileged to attend the lecture Kamal gave at Dar El-Nimer in Beirut with its masterly discussion of the influence of eras, countries, and continents on the evolution of art and how his work was influenced in turn. The lecture will appear in his forthcoming book in English and will be published by the Institute for Palestine Studies in Arabic.

Public collections holding Kamal’s paintings, prints, and books include the British Museum, London; l’Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris; Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife, Granada; the New York Public Library; Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University; Birzeit University Museum; and the Library of Congress.

Al-Shabaka joins his wife and family in mourning his loss. He was a dear friend, a valued advisor, and a cherished comrade. May he rest in peace.