Otherstory have been working with the Art Against War Club to contribute to the Anatomy of Solidarity exhibition at the Bristol M-Shed from March 10th to April 12th 2026.

In these war-racked times we wanted to create a puppet that expressed the beauty and vulnerability of our world.  We have created a giant Palestine Sunbird flying above a tandem which will be taken on protests in solidarity with Palestine and against the Israeli arms company Elbit. 

Its long curved bill reaches towards a flower – to drink the nectar.  Its outstretched wings span about two and a half metres.  On the front of the tandem is a nest with three pale blue eggs bearing the words: Peace, Land and Autonomy.

Solidarity Ride

On June 14th 2026 we took the sunbird out in the centre of Bristol in solidarity with the four brave activists who two days earlier were given record breaking prison sentences. This was for their action in August 2024 that saw 40 drones destroyed at Elbit Systems’ key site in Filton, Bristol. Sam was given 8 years 8 months, Ellie and Charlotte were given 6 years, and Fatema Zainab was given 5 years 8 months.

Sunbirds

Real Sunbirds are very small – the size of a wren.  They feed on nectar but can also eat insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young.

The Palestine Sunbird knows no borders. It is free, unlike the people living where it flies.

The Palestine Sunbird was declared the national bird of Palestine in 2015 after the Israeli occupiers tried to change its name in their efforts to erase Palestinian identity.

The artist Khaled Jarrar designed postage and passport stamps for the State of Palestine, using the Palestine Sunbird as the motif.

The bird has also become the badge of the paracycling group – the Gaza Sunbirds. These athletes have turned to delivering aid to people in Gaza.

See pictures of making the sunbird, eggs and flower here