Artist Ghassan Salsa, born in Beit Sahour in 1957
He is a sculptor and a fine art artist. He inherited the craft of engraving and sculpting from his father and grandfathers. But he puts in every piece of seashells and wood an idea, a lesson and a story that simulates people through art. Participated in many local and international exhibitions. The late President Yasser Arafat presented two seashell artworks of the city of Bethlehem from his works to former US President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II during their visit to Bethlehem.
His artwork “Towards Liberation”
Symbolizes the resistance towards liberation, and the revolution to achieve the goal of freedom that the Palestinians have always dreamed of, and the demolition of the wall of isolation and racism in the town of Bethlehem. This sculpture was originally a stump of an olive tree that was uprooted by the occupation to build the separation and apartheid wall in the city of Bethlehem. It was engraved and sculpted by hand for 80 non-continuous hours over the course of a whole year. Which made it a piece of art that will never be repeated.
الفنان غسان سلسع مواليد بيت ساحور عام 1957
هو نحات و فنان تشكيلي . ورث حرفة الحفر و النحت عن ابيه و اجداده . لكنه يضع في كل قطعة صدف و خشب فكرة و عبرة و قصة تحاكي الناس من خلال الفن . شارك في العديد من المعارض المحلية و الدولية . و قد قدم الرئيس الراحل ياسر عرفات لوحتين صدف لمدينة بيت لحم من اعماله للرئيس الامريكي السابق بيل كلينتون و البابا يوحنا بولس الثاني اثناء زيارتهما لمدينة بيت لحم .
اما عن العمل الفني ( نحو التحرير )
فهو يرمز الى المقاومة نحو التحرير . و الثورة لتحقيق هدف الحرية التي لطالما حلم بها الفلسطينيون و هدم جدار العزل و العنصرية . هذه المنحوتة كانت بالاصل جدع لشجرة زيتون تم اقتلاعها من قبل الاحتلال لبناء جدار الفصل و العنصرية في مدينة بيت لحم . و قد تم الحفر و النحت بها يدويا لمدة 80 ساعة غير متواصلة على مدار عام كامل . مما جعل منها قطعة فنية لن تتكرر ابدا .
This space enjoys complete autonomy from the rest of the hotel. It is the largest permanent platform for Palestinian artists to showcase their work in Palestine. Local curators are invited to organise the regularly changing roster of exhibitions. Many of the most notable Palestinian artist work is on display here, including Suliman Mansour and Nail Anani. An adjoining space is dedicated to temporary shows by emerging artists. The gallery sells original work, prints and postcards.
182 Caritas Street
Bethlehem
Palestine
Tel: +9722771322
Email: gallery@walledoffhotel.ps