Illustrator Zeev Engelmayer, popularly often known as “Shoshke,” started drawing “Each day Postcards” within the weeks after the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught. The illustrations posted on his Instagram account embodied the horror, worry and sorrow of the struggle in Gaza, in addition to portraits of the hostages kidnapped within the carnage, 47 of whom haven’t but been launched.
His postcards grew to become world-renowned, hung in private and non-private shows, and have been typically became placards and posters held by the artist and 1000’s of others at rallies and protests.
Now his work has been made into banners, billboards and signage for the western Negev, the area that bore the brunt of the invasion that noticed some 1,200 folks slaughtered and 251 kidnapped to the Strip.
However for the primary time in 24 months, the messaging is barely extra optimistic, stuffed with compassion and mercy, mentioned Engelmayer, talking hours earlier than a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was introduced.
“It makes me really feel very emotional to know that the illustrations are there, within the very place within the western Negev, the locations the place all of it occurred,” he mentioned.
They’re new artworks created by the Tel Aviv artist. Some characteristic the anticipated hugs between soon-to-be-released hostages and their family members, resembling Matan Zangauker and his mom, Einav, or hostage Eitan Horn and his brother, former hostage Iair Horn. Others envision hugs between or with family members who’re now not residing.
Certainly one of Zeev Engelmayer’s newest postcards, this one from October 9, 2025, because the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was being signed. The phrases, in Hebrew, learn, ‘Thanks President Trump!’ (Courtesy)
There are doves as effectively, mentioned Engelmayer, befitting of the hope for the struggle’s finish and, probably, perhaps, peace.
The Eshkol regional communities determined to change from elevating consciousness by way of images of the remaining hostages to utilizing Engelmayer’s illustrations, mentioned the artist, as residents felt that individuals weren’t actually taking note of the images any longer.
“They have been too accustomed to the photographs,” mentioned Engelmayer, “so that they’ve switched to this format, and to some movies as effectively.”
Artist Zeev Engelmayer’s ‘hug’ collection, of former hostage Iair Horn and his brother, Eitan Horn, of former hostage Arbel Yehoud along with her associate, hostage Ariel Cunio (Courtesy)
Engelmayer spoke of a current dialog with a mom whose son was killed, and who advised him that when she appears on the illustration of her son, she cries, figuring out he was killed, however gaining one thing from the illustration as effectively.
“I feel there’s an intention within the drawing as a result of I’ve sat for just a few hours and labored on it, and it’s a unique sort of intention than a photograph,” he mentioned.
The out of doors exhibit of Engelmayer’s work was initiated by Group 19, a ladies’s group from the town of Sderot, who turned to Engelmayer with a finances and a plan to mark the second anniversary of October 7.
“Individuals maintain writing me and telling me how a lot they prefer it,” mentioned Engelmayer. “It makes me really feel very emotional.”
Engelmayer’s mission, which grew out of his personal sense of trauma and worry, has continued to resonate for viewers all over the world.
Zeev Engelmayer’s Each day Postcard exhibited in Philadelphia, PA in 2024 (Courtesy)
It’s been exhibited worldwide, together with at England’s Oxford College, the home windows of the Museum of the Metropolis of New York, in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Australia and Hong Kong. An exhibit is being deliberate for Moscow, Russia and Toulouse, France, within the coming months.
It has continued to be displayed even throughout the rising cultural boycott of Israel, as Israeli artists have been disinvited to occasions or focused by pro-Palestinian protestors.
Engelmayer mentioned it has typically stunned him that his illustrations have been in a position to stay in sure places, such because the yard of the Oxford library, with pro-Palestinian rallies held close by repeatedly.
“They’re there to remind those who the hostages have been nonetheless in Gaza, and to determine with them when it was tougher to attach with Israel,” he mentioned.
Elona Dekel, left, from Sderot’s Group 19, and Zeev Engelmayer, at considered one of his newer photos, which reads, ‘We’ll keep in mind all of them 730.10.23,’ held on October 7, 2025, marking 730 days since October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)
It’s a mission that also includes Engelmayer on daily basis.
“I rise up within the morning, like I did as we speak, chatting with a mom of two kids who have been killed on October 7,” he mentioned. “You don’t overlook that sort of dialog, you maintain all of it day.”
However as he has for the reason that begin, Engelmayer nonetheless appreciates the messages and the suggestions, in addition to the images despatched to him by followers who see his illustrations throughout their travels.
There are even individuals who have dreamed concerning the postcards’ imagery, resembling Ayelet Levy, the mom of launched hostage Naama Levy, who dreamed of Engelmayer’s picture of Levy hugging her daughter earlier than she was launched dwelling in January.
Zeev Engelmayer’s illustration of Ayelet Levy hugging her daughter, Naama Levy, forward of her January 2025 launch from Hamas captivity (Courtesy)
“She advised me she dreamed that she hugged Naama the way in which I drew it,” mentioned Engelmayer. “That has which means for me.”
Engelmayer has initiatives he plans on finishing as soon as the struggle is totally over and the hostages are dwelling, however for now, he’s ready to stay together with his Each day Postcards.
“I can’t describe what number of good folks I meet. There’s a lot pessimism, however I meet the great aspect,” he mentioned. “There are good individuals who consider in reconciliation; revenge isn’t what they need.”
