Shukri Lawrence is a 19-year-old Palestinian designer, video maker and more generally, an artist. He was born and grew up in East Jerusalem, though studied cinematography in Amman, Jordan.
“Amman has inspired me to create something for my people, Palestinians. I realised in Amman that people could have freedom and what is like to live in a country that is not occupied,” Lawrence told Palestine Monitor.
Lawrence identifies as Queer, and through his brand he is trying to fight racism and homophobia. He wishes to take his culture and his body back in order to be more free.
“I want to show what Palestinians are through my art, and not only the misrepresentation that media has made of us, calling us terrorists. I want to take back what belongs to us, our culture and our freedom. I am trying to fight the stereotypes that people have about Palestinians and Arabs around the world.”
In his designs, Lawrence is using different themes: Feminism, Terrorism and Narcissism. With each theme, he is trying to contribute something different through a Middle-Eastern point of view.
“There is a community of people that is open minded here, and who is not apologetic for who they are. But the world is not aware of us, and that is what I want to change with my work. I want to show that we are here, existing,” Lawrence said.
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