Approaching Haifa is a visual representation that encapsulates the imaginary, portraying a realm that has never materialized but redefines our understanding of belonging and freedom. Inspired by the Hejaz Railways, the scene depicts elements emphasizing unrestricted movement within our region before the current colonial framework—an era devoid of borders and the historical atrocities associated with them: displacements, genocides, settler colonialism, and proxy wars, all of which have destabilized our physical homes.

In challenging the violent Western Imperial notion of belonging, rooted in land theft, privatization, and border restrictions, Approaching Haifa references elements of unity and connection. Centering on the sacred and intimate practice of sharing a meal, the figures in the painting joyously engage in a space filled with regional excellence. From the stack of records to the images on the walls, the space reflects a cultural landscape that had the opportunity to exist and thrive without Western violence.

Approaching Haifa rejects the Western-centric colonial notion of home, transcending the constraints of physical borders, while emphasizing unity, freedom, and joy.