Art as an Anchor: The Journey of Ed Walwail

For Ed Walwail, art was never just a hobby—it was a survival strategy. Born in the West Bank and raised in a densely populated environment marked by the daily realities of occupation, Ed’s earliest “canvases” were a reflection of the world around him.

But where many would see only despair, Ed found a different path. His work is a testament to the resilience of the Palestinian spirit, proving that creativity can thrive even in the most restricted spaces. Today, as a multidisciplinary artist and the founder of Labmations, Ed bridges the gap between traditional expression and the vast world of the multimedia and entertainment field.

From the West Bank to Vancouver

Ed’s journey took him from the Middle East to Canada, where he earned a Bachelor of Design from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. This transition allowed him to evolve his practice, moving from physical mediums to immersive digital experiences that resonate on a global scale.

However, he never left his roots behind. His work often focuses on:

• Cultural Representation: Reclaiming narratives through projects like the Super Stories Shop podcast and children’s books like Little Red Riding Hijab.
• The “Problem-Solver” Mindset: Applying design thinking not just to art, but to social and environmental engineering, such as his work on recycling water systems.
• Humor and Satire: Using lightness to tackle “dark and heavy” themes, making social justice reflections accessible to a wide audience.

Living as an Artist “Out There”

Living as an artist in Palestine means navigating a landscape where the material for art—paints, cameras, or even steady electricity—is often a luxury. Yet, as Ed’s life shows, these constraints often produce the most profound innovations.

“I learned to keep looking forward, evolving a positive outlook which you can feel from my art.” — Ed Walwail

For artists currently in Palestine, the practice is an act of “Sumud” (steadfastness). Whether it is a painter in Gaza documenting the ruins or a digital creator like Ed using modern tools to build bridges across borders, the goal remains the same: to prove that Palestinian identity is vibrant, evolving, and impossible to erase.

A Vision for the Future

Through Labmations, Ed continues to push the boundaries of storytelling. He isn’t just telling stories about the past; he is leveraging his expertise in the multimedia and entertainment field to imagine a future where diverse voices are at the center of the global narrative. His success is a reminder that while borders may restrict movement, the “artistic bandwidth” of a creator knows no bounds.