How I create… with painter and illustrator Malak Mattar

Malak Mattar is a painter, illustrator, and author of children’s books. Raised in Gaza City she began painting as a teenager during the 2014 Gaza War as a means to express emotion through the trauma of the conflict.

Her work has now been shown in more than 80 countries around the world, with solo exhibitions in Palestine, Costa Rica, the UK, Sweden, the US, Germany, Lebanon, Portugal and Italy. Alongside her painting, Mattar has authored and illustrated the children’s book Sitti’s Bird and in 2025 served as artistic director for Brian Eno’s Together for Palestine concert at Wembley Arena.

This summer, Mattar brings her creativity to the Southbank Centre with Floating Together, a bold public artwork reflecting on solidarity, community and courage, created in collaboration with young people from Ukraine and Greece. Speaking of Floating Together, Mattar says ‘the installation reflects both memories of my childhood and the realities of displacement. Inspired by swimming floats, the work is large, playful and illuminated with vibrant light, especially at night, honouring the many refugee journeys made in darkness, while sending a message that refugees are seen, welcomed and cared for.’

Ahead of the work’s unveiling at the Southbank Centre on 24 June, Mattar kindly offered us an insight into her artistic approach for our How I create series.

When and where do you find yourself at your most creative?

I find myself most creative in the morning, when I first wake up. I also find creativity in my studio and in libraries.

How do you know when an idea is worth developing into something more?

When an idea keeps you awake at night and you feel a calling to find ways to make it happen.

Which tools are key to your creative process?

My journal, sketchbook, and archives.

Who are you creating your work for, and how free are you to create the work you want to create?

I think of my family when I create, as well as the people I have encountered and those I have yet to encounter. I think of Gaza quite a lot. I feel free to create. When I was living under military siege in Gaza, sitting in front of my canvas was the most liberating experience. Art is liberating.

How do you stay disciplined, and dedicated to your work?

I remind myself of how I started. I was 14 years old, surviving the longest war of my life, and art saved me.

What do you do when you hit a wall; when you feel unmotivated or uninspired? How do you overcome this?

I take a break, read a book, and accept the fact that it’s okay not to feel productive all the time.

Who do you look to for feedback?

My parents, my tutor, and my friends.

How different is your creative process now to when you first began as an artist?

I plan my work more than I did when I was a young artist, and I use a wider range of tools and mediums.

What does success feel like?

Success is making your community feel seen and engaged with your work. Collaboration is probably the most valuable skill I have learned in recent years, especially while serving as the Artistic Director of the Together for Palestine concert and during my masters as well through producing the co-commissioned art piece Floating Together for the Southbank Centre.

Is there a piece of advice you’ve received that you often find yourself returning to?

Trust your gut.

What’s the most recent thing you learned about yourself through your work?

That grief comes in different shapes and forms.

How do you know when you’re done?

When the painting or work is done and adding any extra details feels like a big risk.