The Future Depends On Art: Children's Art

Zimbabwe Sun 11-11-2007

The Future Depends On Art: Children's Art
By Martin Chemhere

At a time when the world is largely embroiled in conflicts, triggering human catastrophes of alarming proportions, a myriad of lights-of-hope are flickering in various corners of the planet in search for peace and stability.

One such light is currently flickering in Harare through a child-oriented project titled “Peace In Our Communities”, 22 September to 14 October 2007, at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

A culmination of a two-day children and youth workshop held in March this year, conducted by two established visual artists nominated from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, the show was an eye-opener: children, often ignored in major issues can articulate what could be complex developments and offer valid solutions.

The painting show exposes the talents of youths as well as their appreciation of an environment conducive for proper children upbringing and the need for non-violent conflict management skills.

While the works on display were all by Zimbabweans, the theme was universal and reflected the other sides obtaining in many of the world’s troubled nations particularly the developing countries. In Africa, were many countries are experiencing anti-peace conditions and violations of the world’s most abused requirement - peace, the need for that condition

Featuring 25 children from Masiye Camp in Bulawayo the show under- scored the relevance and dire requirement for peace at a national level while similarities with other global societies could be drawn.

Given the practice of child abuse through forced labour, child soldiers in conflict torn countries, child sexual abuse, child trafficking, forced marriages to minors, there is all the need for an art exhibition of the concept currently on show to expose the young to peace fundamentals at an early age.

The exhibition also reveals how young children can tackle what others could view as difficult thematic issues to the immature. In many instances, the exhibition assures the Zimbabwean people (and others who may pass by) that the future looks good or safe with a young generation well equipped with peace education or knowledge.

All the works were based on acrylics and among them titles such as Peace Between the Families (by Tatenda Dzviti), Reconciliation (by Nico Ncube), Lancelot Nxumalo`s Most Wanted, Mbusi Mbambo`s Pastor Making Peace in The Community, The Policemen by Methembe Ndlovu, Homestead (Wayne Phiri), Freedom (Melissa Ndlovu), Development in the Community by Tichaona Mudobi, Football in Peace by Honest Sigauke are collectively not only a refreshing social view, but more significantly juvenile yearns for a better world.

Of course, the works may not be master-pieces but nevertheless they give hints on the latent talents abounding in a developing nation like Zimbabwe.

Carried out in partnership with the German Fund for Promoting Civil Society Organizations (MBZ fund), “the exhibition is part of the Masiye Camp peace education project that is aimed at actively lobbying for peace on the individual, family and community level as well as training children, youth and caregivers in non – violent conflict management skills”, said a statement from the organisers.

“This is in response to Masiye Camp’s lessons from observing many children and youth in Zimbabwe growing up in an economically and socially tense environment that forms root causes for various conflicts.”

“We are very happy to present the beautfull and inspiring art works that have been produced during those days to the public now and this give the younger generation a voice on the matter of peace”.

Walking around the exhibition you will get an impression of many different issues coming into the mind of children and youth when being challenged to share about peace in their community.

Some children explore symbols of peace like the dove or the butterfly, which “doesn’t do any harm but only brings joy to the people”. The solar panel is used as a symbol peace because it makes use of the sun’s energy and “works peacefully to the benefit of the people."

Aspects from nature represent peace, e.g. the balancing rocks in Zimbabwe's Matopos (a UNESCO World Heritage site) giving proof of God’s creation, water which we all need for living – just as peace - and colourful flowers that “make people happy.

There are also images of the rural home that has strong connotations of peace for several children. It is a place of belonging, identity and thus security, where people know exactly what their roles and tasks are and where they are working together in harmony and towards the common goal of feeding the family.

Others explore food, itself closely linked to peace for some participants because “there is only peace if no-one stays hungry.”

One painting talks about the police’s high responsibility of being custodian for community peace.

Then there is the shaking of hands - a common symbol of peace and friendliness in Africa and globally. This symbolism remains one of the strongest pictures providing commitment to mutual acceptance and respect - whether between black and white people, man and woman or friends.

Other participants show concrete scenes of peace, which they have personally experienced. In this context we see people sitting together, talking to each other, sharing ideas.

We see situations of reconciliation, where “people come together and unite after fighting”. We see people sheltering someone else and people mediating between parties in conflict. There are people working together to “develop the community” and people learning about peace.

Interestingly enough, education by itself is naturally linked to peace for several of the young artists. There are also scenes where people simply have fun together and enjoy their lives such as children playing or people in the stadium watching soccer. For a high number of participants smiling faces, expressing happiness, are a sign of inner peace.

However in their diversity all the young artists` works speak with one voice; peace is a source of life. Let us maintain peace for the coming generation!

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