"WE WERE HERE FIRST" - one of the key cries that fuels the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Over its chequered history, this tiny sliver of land has been conquered and ruled by the Hasmoneans, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians, Mamelukes and the British to name just a few. Ancient texts and archeological findings are brandished as weapons in the war to prove exclusive ownership. 

This piece takes inspiration from the idea of moving into a new home and peeling back the layers of wallpaper to uncover evidence of previous inhabitants. But like many aspects of this conflict, the argument of rightful ownership perhaps raises more questions than answers - how far back should one go? Can anyone truly 'own' the land? The resulting visual kaleidescope of overlapping patterns creates its own beauty, suggesting that there is no one 'owner', only custodians of this holy place and that there should be space for all who are prepared to love and respect the land and its peoples.