The Gaza Chess Table
Inspired by the Karawan Chess Club for children in Gaza, which seeks to provide children with a sense of normalcy, joy, and intellectual engagement amid the ongoing genocide, this initiative emphasizes resilience. With schools destroyed, games like chess and checkers have supported intellectual stimulation for the youth in Gaza.
The table design draws inspiration from traditional Arab furniture, featuring aged dark wood and black outlines. The tatreez motifs featured, which are all from the Gaza region, reflect Palestinian culture dating back to our Canaanite ancestors. These themes together show our inter-generational struggle.
CONSTRUCTION: Made entirely out of plywood, motifs were created using CNC and painted black. The top of the table includes metal inlays which were plasma cut to shape and powder coated black. All chess pieces were 3D printed
The GAZA CHESS TABLE is a tribute to our children in Gaza. To their sorrows, joys, and stolen childhoods.
My hope for this concept is to connect marginalized communities in Chicago with the Palestinian struggle through the game of chess (or checkers).
I thoroughly acknowledge that design and creative abilities are not enough during this time. I kindly ask for you all to donate to the MECA fundraiser or either of these gofundme’s:
