The Resistance Fighter
Mountain of Fire
Nablus, Palestine
In the heart of the Old City is an ample square surrounded by two- and three-story houses on four sides with a circular platform in the center. All of the structures – houses, the platform, and roads were built with stones. Numerous residents and visitors pass daily through the square. It has been used for public gatherings, children’s play, passageway, and parking.
(Left) A street in the old city, (Right) The main wall in the square containing in the lower portion memorials
of people who were killed during the second intifada and two plastered areas.
In 2014, our team was invited to design something for the small plastered area on the main wall of the square. Responding to the sentiment of the residents, team member Rob Shetterly (Americans Who Tell the Truth) created the fiery image of the “Resistance Fighter.” Embodying determination and strength, the image was immediately embraced by the community as a symbol of the spirit of its people.
Rob (left) and Jannat (right) working on the portrait mural, 2014.
Barefoot Artists returned in the spring of 2015, bringing a dedicated, six-member team – Rob Shetterly, Dud Hendrick (Veterans for Peace), Pamela Sukham (artist), Ben Marlett (photo/film), Ariel Bleth (writer), and Lily Yeh (artist).
Revisiting the square in Old Town Nablus, we found that the image was pockmarked by many bullet holes. Restoring it in good speed, Rob and the team brought back the vitality and determination of the figure.
The Resistance Fighter with the script, Mountain of Fire.