How “Artists Against Apartheid” Is Using Watermelons to Raise Funds for Palestine

Poster by Alessandra Sanguinetti

In 1967, Israel prohibited the display of the Palestinian flag—or its colors red, black, and green— within occupied Palestine. In protest, Palestinians carried watermelons with them, cutting them open in public spaces to reveal the fruit’s red flesh, black seeds and green rind. Over the following half century, watermelons have served as a symbol of peaceful resistance in Palestine. 

This year, Artists Against Apartheid, a London-based initiative comprised of 24 writers, artists, filmmakers and curators, formed to raise funds for Palestinian humanitarian efforts. Each artist created a poster that honored the territory’s legacy of protest, incorporating Palestine’s colors in their designs. This month, Artists Against Apartheid launched an online store, selling posters to benefit the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. Each artwork is distinct—abstract, contemporary, and mixed media prints alike are available for purchase—and reflect the Palestinian struggle for liberation. One of the featured artists, Alessandra Sanguinetti, chose to incorporate photography in her work. “The photograph that I superimposed onto the flag is one that I took in 2003 on my first visit to the West Bank,” she says. “When I asked [the girl] how she wanted to appear in the photograph, she wanted to wear a traditional dress. I thought her gaze was strong, firm, and determined. She does not look like a victim. She looks like a fighter. That’s why I wanted her on the poster.”

Below, take a look at Sanguinetti’s work, along with others by Peter Doig, Rosalind Nashashibi, Michael Rakowitz, Alastair Mackinven, Lisa Brice, and more. Consider visiting the exhibition in London at, 34 Bourdon Street, or purchasing a poster to support the AAA effort here.

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Posters by Rosalind Nashashibi.

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Poster by Peter Doig.

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Poster by Michael Rakowitz.

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Poster by Alastair Mackinven.

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Poster by Alvaro Barrington.

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Poster by Banu Cennetoglu.

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Poster by Huma Bhabha.

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Poster by Jeremy Deller.

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Poster by Lisa Brice.