Palestinian artist Ahmed Hailoz, a distinguished figure in fine arts known for using his visual art to express the Palestinian cause, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the age of 75.

Born in Qalqilya, Palestine, in 1949, Hailoz graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad with a degree in Sculpture in 1980. Over his career, he held numerous solo and group exhibitions and worked in various fields as a Palestinian refugee.

In 1980, he relocated to the United Arab Emirates, where he served in the Department of Teaching Aids at the Ministry of Education. He co-founded the Al Hurufiya Group at the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and contributed to the establishment of the World Alban Group in 1994. He was also an active member of the Jordanian Fine Artists Union.

Hailoz participated in numerous Palestinian, Arab, and international exhibitions and trade union events. His artistic styles spanned sculpture and various media, marked by an expressive approach that deeply concentrated on the Palestinian cause and the resilience of the Palestinian people. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Arab Cultural Club in Sharjah, Hailoz often placed women at the heart of his work, capturing themes of love, motherhood, resilience, sorrow, and connection to the land.

Over time, his works leaned toward a more distilled approach, aiming to capture the essence of his subjects with minimal detail, avoiding fine intricacies. His paintings were marked by a raw spontaneity, as he sketched the contours of the Palestinian landscapes from his childhood—scenes that continued to reside deeply within him. 

He presented numerous solo and group exhibitions within the UAE and beyond, earning multiple Arab and global awards. Most recently, in September, he was honoured by the 28th Cultural and Scientific Association Symposium as the distinguished Arab cultural personality.