My name is Sohill Agha, and I am a Palestinian-Canadian acrylic artist, the son and grandson of Palestinian refugees from Akka. My family’s story of displacement—from the Nakba of 1948 to the camps of Lebanon—is etched into my identity and runs through everything I create.
Growing up in Canada in the shadow of 9/11, I often felt I had to explain or defend who I was. Painting became a sanctuary—a space where I could reclaim my voice, reconnect with my roots, and honour the beauty of who I am.
For over 15 years, I’ve used acrylic paint to explore intergenerational trauma, cultural memory, and the strength of my people. My work is about more than resistance—it’s about preserving joy, love, and identity in the face of attempts to erase them.
Inspired by my high school mentor Cheryl Rock—who taught me that art can dismantle stereotypes and affirm dignity—I strive to do the same for Palestinians. In my upcoming series, I will be spotlighting Gazans—teachers, healers, press workers—ordinary people turned heroes through impossible circumstances.
Through each piece, I aim to remind viewers that Palestinians are not statistics or headlines—we are artists, caregivers, storytellers, and survivors.