# Childlike Cloud Art Palestinian Belal Khaled Creates New Images Using Smoke From Gaza Airstrikes By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-07-22 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaza-airstrikes References: [buzzfeed](http://www.buzzfeed.com/miriamberger/this-palestinian-photographer-in-gaza-is-turning-pictures-of) & [globalpost](http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/israel-and-palestine/140721/belal-khaled-palestinian-art-out-pictures-airstrikes-israel-gaza) A Palestinian photographer is turning the clouds resulting from the Gaza airstrikes into a new art form. 23 year old Belal Khaled has been taking pictures of the violence in Gaza since fighting escalated between Hamas and Israel. The Israeli airstrikes have left interestingly-shaped smoke clouds in the air, which caught Khaled's artistic eye and got his creative juices flowing. Similar to how children and day dreamers might interpret [shapes in the sky](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stratosplash), Khaled turns the Gaza airstrikes into something wistful and new. The simple but touching images bring a childlike quality to a tragic situation. The smoke pictures have [doodles, like a hand or face](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawings-alive), to illustrate what he sees. Khaled shared his artwork on [Twitter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-art-of-trending), but according to Buzzfeed has been too busy to continue creating new pieces to post. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [World News](https://www.trendhunter.com/worldnews) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Cloud Art:** The use of natural phenomena to create art brings innovative opportunities for artists and photographers. - **Childlike Interpretation:** Incorporating childlike interpretation into creative works can evoke emotional responses from audiences and lead to new artistic styles. - **Reimagining Tragedy:** Finding ways to reframe tragedy through artistic expression can challenge traditional modes of communication and bring important issues to light. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fine Arts:** The emergence of new art forms using clouds, smoke, and other natural phenomena could spur interest in traditional fine arts and inspire new artists and investments. - **Photography:** Photographers can use natural disasters and tragedies to create art that brings a new perspective on events, invoking deeper emotional responses from audiences. - **Humanitarian Causes:** The incorporation of childlike interpretation in raising awareness for humanitarian causes can create impactful campaigns that bring positive change to the world. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Weather-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weatherinspired-art-exhibition.md) - [Tear Canister Candle Holders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/majdulin-nasrallah.md) - [Explosion-Damaged Sculpture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-into-darkness.md) - [Whimsical Cloud-Shaped Pipes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloudshaped-pipe.md) - [Wooden Light-Hearted Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dream-sculpture.md) - [Festive Light Painting Techniques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-painting-1.md) - [Organic Cloud-Like Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khmara.md) - [Drone-Assisted Landscape Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/katsu-1.md) - [Post-Pandemic Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lakwena-maciver.md)