I have never done a thing like this. I have done fundraisers for myself, many times, when I needed to travel for an exhibition or to buy material to paint. I have also donated paintings to charity and paid myself for an endless number of events, fundraisers and charities for other people for many different reasons. Helping other people feels good. I have always given whatever possible from my always so unforeseen and unstable personal economy. I have been helped so many times and I never thought twice to help others too. It is good to help and be helped, it makes us feel loved, cared for, protected, gives that sense of belonging that is so important to feel, once in a while.

But for people facing genocide, this is the first time.

I have helped people at risk, hungry people, people who lost their possessions, victims of natural disasters. But for people trapped in a piece of land with their families, children, elderly, while their homes were being intentionally destroyed, facing severe famine, dying of thirst, easily treated illnesses and atrocious bombings, shellings, shootings… this is the first time.

I became friend with some people that otherwise we would never get to know each other. An engineer and mother with 3 small babies, a 6 month pregnant dentist and mom-to-be and a teacher with 4 teenagers. All amazing women. All mothers in different periods is their motherhood. All beautiful Palestinian gentle souls that taught me so much about my ignorance, prejudice, limitations, weaknesses… and also my value, my potential for humanity.

They are the ones facing the most horrific time in their lives and in desperate need for help and yet, they are the ones teaching me. That without empathy, sorority and solidarity with are much less than humans… we are useless. The utility of life is our sensibility to see the other and treat them as we would like to be treated. The meaning of existence is to leave this planet a little bit more humanly evolved and wise than we entered it. They are helping me to understand that even when you can’t do anything, you can still do something. And spread some live, some sympathy, some generosity and some art.

I ask you to do what you can in the face of injustice. Whatever you can. Even if you can do nothing, do something. Ask someone else for help, pass it on, share truth and information, listen, donate if you can. Everything counts. In the millions we are, even a tear can serve as a sea to navigate, to help, to arrive or to flee to safer grounds. Do it for others, exercise your humanity to be worthy of being human.

I offer you my humble art, the very least I can do but also the best of me. It comes with my deep gratitude and a shared opportunity to make a difference in our existence. Because it might also change the fate of a few, and that should be enough for each and every one of us to try. Try. Please, try.

Luciana Mariano

Access the charity sale here: https://lucianamariano.wordpress.com/special-charity-sale/