Diaspora
Diaspora is an artwork by Séfora Camazano. This remarkable piece is an original Giglée Fine Art print on a 100% acid-free cotton canvas, measuring 125 x 150 cm. Crafted in the year 2024, it is part of the “Female Portraits: Looking Back to the Past” collection.
In Diaspora, Dafna, an Israeli woman, sits on a beach, wearing a simple white dress. A notable detail is the small yellow ribbon pinned to her chest—a symbol of solidarity for the hostages still held by Hamas. This subtle yet powerful element adds a layer of depth to the piece, underscoring the personal and collective pain of those affected by the crisis and symbolizing hope and remembrance.
The composition is soft and subdued, dominated by whites, soft blues, and earthy tones. The gentle colors evoke a sense of calm, but also an underlying melancholy. Dafna’s white dress, coupled with the parasol she holds, merges subtly with the sandy background, almost as if she is blending into her surroundings, suggesting themes of vulnerability and transience. The beach’s soft light and slightly overcast sky enhance the reflective, almost dreamlike quality of the image, while the rocky formations around her add a sense of grounding and isolation.
Dafna’s expression is both calm and introspective. She looks directly at the viewer with a gaze that feels open, yet quietly resilient. The directness of her eyes conveys a sense of connection and vulnerability, as if she is sharing an unspoken story of displacement, strength, and longing. Her expression, combined with the ribbon, brings a personal touch to the broader theme of Diaspora, reflecting the weight of history, identity, and the enduring hope for peace and unity amid hardship.
The overall composition and choice of colors give the artwork a peaceful but somber tone, invoking emotions of empathy, quiet strength, and solidarity. It’s a contemplative piece that speaks to the resilience of individuals amid collective suffering, offering a moment of reflection on identity, belonging, and the hope that, despite distance or adversity, connection remains.
Dafna, a 33-year-old from Rishon LeZion near Tel Aviv, Israel, grew up with a constant awareness of danger, as terror attacks were a part of her early memories. This sense of vigilance became second nature, influencing her daily life and decisions. On October 7th, Dafna and her husband woke to air raid sirens in Tel Aviv. Without a safe room in their apartment, they took shelter in the building’s staircase and, upon realizing the severity of the situation, decided to leave the city. They fled to a safer area, finding refuge in an Airbnb, though it was difficult to stay focused on daily tasks amid the emotional toll.
Eventually, Dafna and her husband made the hard decision to leave Israel temporarily and move to Spain. Adapting to life abroad was challenging, as they remained on edge and were reminded of past trauma by everyday sounds. Dafna also encountered anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment, which compounded her sense of isolation. She reflects on her complex identity as a proud Jewish Israeli, wishing for a world where she could openly share her background without fear. Despite the challenges, she feels a deep commitment to representing the experiences of those affected by the conflict and promoting a better understanding of its complexities.
“Diaspora” captures the emotional weight of leaving behind a place deeply intertwined with Dafna’s identity and the disorientation of starting anew in a foreign land. The title resonates with her longing for a sense of safety, belonging, and acceptance—both within her own identity and in the broader world. She hopes for a future where she, and others like her, can openly embrace their heritage without facing hostility.
The artwork production
Diaspora was inspired on the artwork Clotilde on the beach (1904), by Joaquín Sorolla.
