Promoting peace through art

ISLAMABAD: Known for its appreciation and support for human rights, Nomad Art Gallery launched their 16-day campaign in support of activism against gender-based violence.

Holding a one-day workshop for children at the gallery premises, Nageen Hayat, the owner, took a very different angle while lecturing them on the issue. Instead of educating the victims about the effects of such actions, she discussed the future of the country and asked the children to play a part in fostering peace and respect among their peers.

Ufaq Ehsen, a graduate of National College of Arts and a professional artist, who specializes in art therapy, conducted the workshop.

Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories with the psychological aspects of the creative processes. The affective properties of different art materials are then used to analyse, and subsequently disseminate positive ideas into the minds of the people.

Using paints, chalks and markers the ideas are allowed to flow and take the form of expression that duly describe the participant’s inner feelings. With the help of these techniques, the children, from various community schools around Islamabad, ‘were inculcated with the values of peace building and respectful coexistence’.

“These children belong to very humble backgrounds and it is important to fertilize their minds so they know how to treat each other as individuals and be able to grasp the concepts that are alien to their society,” said Ehsen.

Day-long activities included the screening of peace related imagery which educated the children regarding religious tolerance. “Religious intolerance is one of the biggest problems in our society and it is essential that acceptance of other faiths from a very early age is instilled in the minds of the youth so that our next generation can be more tolerant,” he said.

The children spent a fun-filled day at the gallery, making new friends and playing with paints and canvas. The result of this workshop was tremendous.

At the end of the 5-hour long session the children produced some fantastic pieces of art showcasing their feelings regarding peace. The children also asked to paint how they envisioned Pakistan when they grew up. Lush valleys and religious unity were some of the main themes taken up by children and were executed with interest and skill.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2010.