Artists Emily Hartley-Skudder and Pinky Fang have collaborated on a series of photos documenting a collection of pre-1948 cosmetics made in Palestine. 

In the 1970s, Pinky Fang’s mum came across a collection of imported vintage cosmetic products at an estate sale in Hastings – deodorant, hair oil, baby powder, toothpaste, cold cream. Now 12 of these products grace the walls of Newtown gallery Drive-Thru, in glossy sumptuous photographs that almost parody contemporary product photography.

The products have “Made in Palestine” on their labels and likely predate 1948, when Zionist forces captured 78% of historic Palestine to establish the State of Israel. The products, emblazoned with their point of origin, are relics of a time before such violent erasure of Palestine. They were imported by S.D.J. Cohen Manufacturers’ Agent and Importer, a shop that opened in 1931 at 102 Warren Street North, Hastings. A 1933 ad for the shop in The Hawke’s Bay Tribune reads “The Bible refers to Palestine as the land of milk and honey” and one from 1934 reads “Palestine means quality”.

For artists Pinky Fang and Emily Hartley-Skudder, the cosmetics are a starting point to understand the capitalist dimensions of the conflict. Palestine is rich in resources – gas, oil, water and arable land. It is the land of milk, honey, olive oil, wine grapes and oranges. Many of its people are now without clean water, let alone hygiene products or deodorants, cold cream or toothpaste. The BDS movement calls on people to boycott many cosmetic and toiletry brands with financial links to Israel. The presence of huge parent companies like Unilever, L’Oréal and Colgate-Palmolive on the boycott list show how globally entrenched Israeli interests are. In researching for the accompanying Beauty Boycott Zine, Fang and Hartley-Skudder even found links to some of the products photographed. 

In presenting these products proudly displaying their point of origin, the photographs assert the historical and ongoing existence of Palestine.

Made in Palestine is being exhibited at Drive-Thru, 2 Riddiford St, Newtown until September 7. Photographs can also be ordered online, with proceeds going to Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.