The words from a Dublin MEP’s speech that went viral incorporated into powerful art exhibition during Middlesborough ArtWeek.
Claire Ong, an Irish artist based in Newcastle, channelled her frustration and despair with the genocide in Gaza into three pieces of artwork. The pieces incorporate words into the keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf which has become a symbol of solidarity and resistance.
In one piece, entitled “11 days”, the artwork takes the appearance of a yellow Keffiyeh, with the text in the middle being from MEP Boylan’s speech from October 2025, which was viewed over 1 million times on Facebook, and 530,000 times on Instagram.
The speech given almost a year ago, highlighted the continued violence, death and unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian people after the so called ceasefire in Gaza.
Lynn, is the Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, and as chair of the European Parliaments delegation for relations with Palestine, has been outspoken on what she describes as the “complicity of the EU, and many European governments in Israels’ genocide and their continued failure to take action against Israel.
Lynn said that it was “humbling” to see the words from her speech used in this piece of artwork.
“That speech was really emotionally driven when I was giving it.
“You had countries in Europe and the EU itself hailing this ceasefire in Gaza like some game changing breakthrough, all the while Israel was continuing on as if there was no ceasefire in effect at all, and no one was doing anything.
“It was just so frustrating to see the EU pontificate about a sham ceasefire, while everything they had said or done for international law and human rights was being totally eroded.
While many governments have fallen well short of doing the right thing when it comes to the conflict, Lynn hailed the actions of artists and other people who refused to be silent.
“One of the inspiring things, even if most governments have been so disappointing on this issue, is the actions of ordinary people.
“From ordinary people, to pensioners, artists, sportspeople and others, it has been inspiring to see that so many people refuse to be silent when it comes to what Israel is doing in Gaza.
“Claire’s artwork is a fantastic example of an artist doing what they can to stand up for Gaza, and I hope that her work will inspire other Irish artists to do the same.
“It would be wonderful to see Claire’s collection of Palestinian art shown here in Ireland” Lynn said.
“Ireland in particular has had so many artists stand up and speak out for Palestine, and I hope we can keep that going.”
