VANCOUVER – A Child’s View from Gaza comprises startling and courageous works on paper using crayon, paints and markers by children who survived the 22-day Operation Cast Lead military attack on Gaza in 2008-9. The travelling exhibit opens Friday, March 9 at 7:30pm at the Unitarian Church at 949 W. 49thAve.
In the words of curator Susan Johnson, the exhibit provides a chance “to learn what a child in Gaza has experienced – what they feel and why. It’s an opportunity for the viewer to learn, to put prejudice aside. When, asks Johnson, “have you ever heard the voice of Gaza’s children?”
The Vancouver tour launch will feature two important speakers whose work with war-scarred children in the Middle East is world-renowned. Barbara Lubin, Executive Director of the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) has just returned from Gaza and will speak on the current conditions there. MECA is a non‐governmental organization working for peace and justice for Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Iraq, focusing on the rights of children. The reception will also feature a video interview with Dr. Eyad el-Sarraj, President of the Gaza Community Health Program. Dr. el-Sarraj works with children suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has also appeared before international panels investigating the impact of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead. His interview with journalist Pam Bailey will provide an up‐to-the-minute account of the situation facing the children of Gaza. Vancouver showings at the Interurban Gallery, Simon Fraser University, UBC, Langara and People’s Coop Books will provide an opportunity to see some of these poignant drawings. A larger exhibit of this work became the subject of controversy when its presentation was cancelled by the Oakland Museum of Children’s art last fall. While the show did open at another venue nearby, the controversy created broader international interest the art – work that was called “dangerous” by opponents of the show. See the exhibit in Vancouver and in your city if it travels there: childsviewfromgaza.org Support projects aimed at helping the children of Gaza: Gaza Community Mental Health Program gcmhp.net Support an organization doing work in support of children throughout the Middle East: Middle East Childrens’ Alliance mecaforpeace.org
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