" Witnesses , my latest solo exhibition, sets a new path for my work. Through these paintings I strive to present what may at first seem different in form and content from my previous works. But for those who dig deeper it will become apparent that the technique does not differ much; rather, it is the overall presentation that is different. For more than two years I have struggled with ideas and emotions that affected me physically and emotionally. These ideas and emotions were distilled when observing women and the types of hard realities they face and endure, wherever they are in this world. It is customary for me to gain a certain amount of inspiration from news around me and over the past two years news of women in Gaza, specifically mothers, and their daily struggles influenced this new experiment in my art and had a large impact on my style. These women were the first to charge my emotions and my perception of reality as is reflected on canvas. News of the struggles of these women brought back memories of many stories of other women, witnesses, that I encountered throughout my life in different places in the world including as in South Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. I register my admiration for the steadfastness and immense pride of every mother who lost a son in war, for every working woman burdened by the years to support her family, and for every woman who sacrificed so much of herself so that life may go on. Hilda Hiary .