Susan Greene of Break the Silence Mural Project traveled to the West Bank of Occupied Palestine to create a four-story mural in coordination with Palestinian youth and artists. Susan lived and painted at the Ibdaa Guest House in Dheisheh Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. The mural was designed and painted by Palestinian youth and artists, Americans and American Jews. Susan is available to present slides and video of the powerful art created and speak about what daily life is like living in the Occupied Territories. The focus of each presentation is determined by context of the event however the general themes are daily life for Palestinians under the military occupation, its relationship to the community mural project, history of the region and implications for art and activism.
Break the Silence Mural Project is a joint community mural project between Americans, American Jews and Palestinian youth and artists. The mural is four stories high and was designed and painted by young people and artists from Dheisheh Refugee Camp. The mural depicts the history of Palestine from before the formation of the state of Israel, to the present period and ends with a depiction of hopes and dreams for a better future. The cooperative and intimate nature of the mural project provided the BTS members with a window into the lives of Palestinian refugees; whose story is largely unknown in the United States. Now that the BTS artists have returned to the United States, the goal is to disseminate what was seen and heard to a wide American audience. To accomplish this, BTS will use a variety of forms including video, slide talks, analytic articles and prose. The BTS Mural Project is available to speak to junior and high schools; colleges; community, art, religious, professional and government organizations; and to make personal appearances at video presentations.
Susan Greene is an artist/activist and clinical psychologist. She has an extensive background in community mural painting and social work. She is acting director of an art college learning center, teaches art in the SF County jail, and is organizing several community art projects in SF. Her first trip to Palestine was with BTS in 1989.
Break the Silence is an arts/activist group committed to using creative projects to facilitate social change and a greater awareness of the complexities of the conflict in Occupied Palestine. BTS began 12 years ago when four Jewish American women artists traveled to the West Bank city of Ramallah and worked on a series of community mural projects with Palestinian community members and artists. Upon returning from that first trip in 1989 the artists presented their work and reflections on their experiences to approximately 100 audiences in high schools, universities, art galleries and community centers across the United States. BTS produced an award winning videotape that was aired on cable TV, distributed in festivals and sold to individuals. Several articles were published in journals and books. In addition, BTS painted a mural about Palestinians rights to a homeland that made connections between issues of "home" in SF's Mission District and in Palestine.
Topics covered
Break the Silence Mural and Arts Project in Palestine
Daily Life for Palestinians Under Military Occupation
Art and Activism
If you would like to plan a speaking event with Susan, please email her at susangreene [at] mindspring [dot] com
