Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

 

#ART4PEACE campaign was launched in September to mark International Day of Peace as a part of International Alert’s Talking Peace Festival.



The event invited 30 artists to paint their interpretations of peace. The art was been displayed in various locations around London. It closed with a public auction at Hoxton Gallery in East London on 3 October.



Syrian artists Ibrahim Fakhri and Tarek Tuma joined the #ART4PEACE campaign in London by creating two powerful pieces reflecting the Syrian crisis. Other artists included Yoko Ono, Suzko,



Benjamin Murphy, 616, Pure Evil, Adrián Morales Rodríguez, Victor Ash, Dan Kitchener, Hannah Adamaszek, Tarek Tuma, Magnus Gjoen, Kef, Jim McElvaney and Andrea Tyrimos.



“I believe in peace and I believe art can help to bring about a paradigm shift in people’s thinking. If you want peace, make art. Change people’s point of view and you can change a vote; change a vote and you can change the world,” Pure Evil, a graffiti and street artist participating at #ART4PEACE said.



Suzko, who painted ‘Dog and dove’ said: “I believe art is a great way of getting people talking, inspiring different points of view and allowing people to have those contrasting views and emotions without prejudice.

There is never a right or wrong interpretation of art, just an opportunity to feel whatever it makes you feel.”



Tarek Tuma, who painted ‘Untitled’ his piece was an embodiment of hope, peace and love. “I think art can be a great force against war. You have the force of destruction represented by wars and atrocities, and you have another force of creation represented by art. In Syria, people are expressing themselves in an artistic way which is very powerful.”



All proceeds fund the work of the charity, which works on peaceful resolutions to conflict in more than 25 countries.