Omar Mismar
Still My Eyes Water presents a bouquet of artificial flowers. Omar Mismar’s floral arrangement is inspired by Flowers of Palestine (1870), a book by Swiss missionary Hanna Zeller which features 54 color illustrations of local plants, combining scientific interest with a colonial perspective.
Beautiful and unsettling, the artificial flowers do not wilt or carry a scent, and their flawless appearance feels unnatural. The artwork reflects on Palestine as a place full of life, yet also as a fading memory—what remains is kept alive through images and copies of historical objects.
Omar Mismar, a visual artist based in Beirut, works across different media to explore how conflict and desire shape everyday life.
Still My Eyes Water, 2025, Sketch, Collage based on Hannah Zeller's illustrations from the book Flowers of Palestine, Courtesy of the artist. Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025. This work has been made possible with the generous support of Mrs. Naila Saadeh and the anonymous patron.
