VCUQatar Gallery Presents Children of Gaza

‘Children of Gaza’ features the work of three international photographers, Giuseppe Aquili, Jim McFarlane and Anthony Dawton, who entered Gaza in 2010 with the support of Save the Children. For nearly two weeks the award-winning photographers photographed children and their families, victims of the Israeli incursion of 27 December, 2008. The extraordinary images tell of what happened and the damage done, both physically and psychologically, but they also tell of a people, and in particular the children, who are bright, intelligent and full of hope.

The exhibition, comprising 21 black and white photographic artworks, is as dramatic in its presentation as the images themselves, each measuring approx. 1.5 x 1.00 meters. Included in the exhibition are original pieces inspired by the photographic images, from renowned artist Dia Azzawi. His images provide a vivid and colorful contrast to the imposing monochrome of the photographs taken by Aquili, Dawton and McFarlane.

‘Children of Gaza’ hopes to define the process in which art can bring understanding to seemingly intractable political conflict as well as to highlight the terrible long and short-term consequences of these conflicts. Works from the exhibition will be available for sale and proceeds will go to Save the Children projects in Gaza, particularly to its outstanding work with children traumatized by conflict. The photographers, Azzawi and representatives from Save the Children will be present during the exhibition to answer questions both about the works and the Save the Children’s projects in Gaza.

The exhibition is scheduled from 9 November to 3 December, 2011 at The Gallery at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and is open Sundays to Thursdays, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or by prior appointment. A reception will be held at the gallery on 9 November, 2011 at 6:00 PM. The reception is open to the public. For further information, please call VCUQatar on +974 44020555.