“I Draw My Dream” society for fine arts in Lattakia holds “feelings and experiences of earthquake 2023” art exhibition

“Art is a sublime, purposeful and expressive message. It is very important for children as it gives them a way to let out their feelings and ideas . Painting is part of a high-level self-expression, and if a person does not express himself properly, he will face psychological problems, especially children” plastic artist Mrs . Hiyam Salman Head of “ I Draw my Dream “ society for fine art in Lattakia said in a statement to Syriatimes e-newspaper on the sidelines of opening “ feelings and experiences of earthquake 2023 ” art exhibition.

The society held this cultural event at its headquarters to announce the names of the winners of the artistic competition earthquake 2023 which the society launched on social media from February the 7th to March the 21st.

“The exhibition displayed 53 artworks related to the earthquake by 48 participants in the competition that were divided into three age categories: the first one from 4-8 years, the second aged 9-11, and the third from 12-16. Three winners were chosen to get financial prizes and in-kind prizes were distributed to all the participants in the competition” according Mrs. Salman.

She confirmed that since the first day of the earthquake, the society had sought to psychologically support all children who were subjected to this harsh experience through art , and encourage them to express their feelings through their paintings during and after the earthquake.

The plastic artist made it clear that“ the displayed artworks focused on the topic of the earthquake using different ways of expression. The paintings embodied the collapsed buildings, nature including the cold and rain during the earthquake, emergency cases, rescue team workers, children screaming and crying as well as the places where they tried to have a shelter”.

“ our social responsibility necessitated as an art society to address this segment with psychological support through art so we launched this competition. The participants surprised us with their expressive ability about the earthquake” Mrs. Salman stressed.

She expressed her happiness to feel the children’s joy by displaying their paintings in an art exhibition, which enhances their self-confidence within their local community, and this is one of the most important goals that the society seeks to achieve .

“ within the framework of Happy Art program of the society, we held many free and open activities on earthquake in addition to organizing a number of workshop to support psychologically the earthquake-affected families” artist Salman concluded.

The participant Silina Qazak told Syriatimes that her painting embodied a wall divided into two parts and a building which is about to collapse with a green plant near the building in an expression of hope and the continuity of life despite the disasters.

13-year-old Raseen Habib, expressed his happiness for winning the first prize of the youth category. His painting showed a person who was trying to get out from under the rubble so expressing the suffering of the people who were exposed to these horrible situations.

Ghadir Jarkas participated in three paintings. The first one showcased a girl while she was sewing her country, Syria, after it was exposed to an earthquake.

The painting of the attractive seven-year-old Sarah Albb expressed her true suffering during the earthquake while she was trying to get out with her mother from the building that was about to collapse.

Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam 

Photos by : Rawaa Ghanam