Garth Hewitt‘s latest album, My Name Is Palestine was inspired by a painting of Suleiman Mansour, the Palestinian artist, which Garth saw while visiting Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem.
“I was in Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem where there is a gallery for Palestinian artists, and saw a painting by the superb Palestinian artist Suleiman Mansour. I found the painting so powerful, I said that I would like to put together a song sparked off by this painting – I thought it could be a 12” vinyl single with the painting on the front cover. I told my good friend Wisam Salsaa, Manager of the Walled Off Hotel, and he phoned Suleiman for his permission, which was kindly given. I then wrote to various Palestinian friends showing them the painting, and asked them for their thoughts. Those thoughts I have reflected in the lyrics. It all came together as this song, My Name is Palestine.”
Read the lyrics and hear Garth sing My Name Is Palestine here.
Garth Hewitt was a founding trustee of Peacemakers and is now a member of our Board of Reference.
Peacemaker Trust 