Like many around the world, I have been profoundly moved and deeply shaken by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The scale of suffering, especially among innocent children, has left me heartbroken and searching for a meaningful way to help.
As someone in a relatively privileged position in the 'west' I often feel powerless but after some thinking, in response to this tragedy I decided to use my craft to take action.
In 2025/26 I built a custom, Palestine-themed guitar, which was auctioned to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) - an organisation providing urgent medical relief in Gaza.
You can learn more about their vital work here: www.map.org.uk
The guitar was a community-based project: whilst I did the bulk of the build work, many people contributed to the project by donating wood, materials, inlay designs, ribbon, embroidery, prints, portraits, strings, merch and more... these kind souls - along with their contributions - are listed at the bottom of this page and also HERE where you can also see extensive photos / videos of the guitar.
The guitar is themed around Palestine and its rich cultural history.
The back and sides are made of olive wood, the national tree of Palestine and a powerful symbol for peace.
It also features a dyed burl 'end graft' and 'heel cap' that represent the watermelon (a symbol of resistance and cultural unity), and custom-machined brass tuner buttons, a visual and material reference to the Dome of the Rock, a place of spiritual significance for the Palestinian people.
Illustrative mother of pearl inlays adorn the headstock and a sterling silver 'Key of Return' is used as the 12th fret marker.
The guitar is also presented in a custom handmade hard case covered in black gator faux-leather and lined with black crushed velvet.
The case features custom jacquard silk 'freedom' ribbons and a hand embroidered lid that reads in Arabic:
'Where words fail, music speaks'.
See more HERE
The winner of the auction, not only received the above instrument and case, but also received: two original A3 size screen prints, a series of photographic portraits, and bunch of D'Addario strings and merch.
DONATIONS FOR THIS PROJECT WERE KINDLY GIFTED BY:
Exotic Hardwoods - Olive wood back & sides
Davidson Instruments - Mahogany neck
A. J. Lucas Luthier - Ebony fingerboard / bridge / headstock
Joanna Reed Bridal - Silver 12th fret inlay
David Price - Soundhole label
Papilionaceous Silk - Jaquard case ribbons
Emma Reichenbach - Case embroidery
Dominic McKeown - Original screen print
Isaac Stacey - Original screen print
Elijah Wagstaff-Dent - Portriat photographs
Luke Warwick-Soden - Strings and merch
Benji Bartlett - Demo Videos