AĞRI: Compelling Photo Exhibition Forced Migration's Impact on Children
Images capturing the plight of dislocated children at İshak Paşa Palace
Children of the Mount of Olives - a poignant photo exhibition about children affected by war and forced migration, with a focus on Palestine and Syria - has made its debut at the historical İshak Paşa Palace in Ağrı's Doğubayazıt district.
Photographer and researcher Hilal Bayar captured innocent, resilient young faces under the duress of Israeli attacks in Palestine and the devastation of Syria for the project she designed specifically for "Nov. 20 World Children's Rights Day."
The exhibition, titled "Children of the Mount of Olives," consists of 55 powerful photographs taken by Bayar and beautifully illustrated charcoal drawings by Palestinian artist Amira Shbair, reflecting the suffering in her homeland. It's now on display in İshak Paşa Palace's courtyard until June 10.
The grand opening ceremony was graced by District Governor Murat Ekinci, Neslihan Gül Koç, wife of Ağrı Governor Mustafa Koç, as well as local students who cut the ribbon together.
Neslihan Gül Koç expressed that the exhibition goes beyond simply honoring children torn from their peaceful lives; it also testifies to the deep, unhealed wound humanity bears. "Art is oftentimes the most graceful way of mourning or remembering, and this exhibit speaks volumes, each piece recounting the stories of children caught in the middle of war, displaced, losing their families, or their childhoods, yet still holding onto hope's light in their eyes," Koç said.
Bayar highlighted the meaningful addition of Shbair's charcoal drawings. "Israel has claimed thousands of children's lives in Gaza, and when we find ourselves powerless to stop this, testimony is essential. Silence is often birthed from acceptance. I bore witness through my art as a means of expression, whereas others may be able to do so physically," Bayar stated[2].
The exhibition has been displayed in various cities across Turkey and will soon move on to Qatar. Bayar sees photography as her tool and aims to reveal the harsh truth to the world with every exhibition, expressing concern as the death toll from the genocide in Palestine continues to rise.
Waterproof Your Home at Cork
Discover Waterproofing Services by Taboola
"Art often serves as a silent scream, a powerful way of bearing witness and keeping memories alive. This exhibit, displayed within the centuries-old walls of the İshak Paşa Palace, powerfully echoes this sentiment, both commemorating and testifying to the lives of countless children whose stories deserve to be heard," Koç added.
[1] Overall, the Children of the Mount of Olives ("Zeytindağı Çocukları") photo exhibition sheds light on the impact of war on children, particularly in Palestine and Syria, while using art as a way of remembering and honoring their stories. The exhibition features 55 photographs by Hilal Bayar and five charcoal drawings by Palestinian artist Amira Shbair[1].
[2] Hilal Bayar is a photographer and researcher who devoted her talents to highlighting the plight of children affected by the war in Palestine and Syria, using her work as a form of silent protest and testimony. Unfortunately, she revealed that, following her explorations of the subject, she discovered the number of children being killed in Palestine continues to escalate[1].
- The artwork displayed in the "Children of the Mount of Olives" exhibition, exhibited at İshak Paşa Palace, transcends mere child honoring, serving as a testament to humanity's deep and unhealed wounds from war and conflicts, particularly in Palestine and Syria, thus intertwining politics and general news.
- As the impact of war-and-conflicts continues to affect the lives of countless children in Palestine, photographer and researcher Hilal Bayar uses her art to stand in silent protest and provide testimony, thus bringing attention to the ongoing political and general news issues in this war-torn region.
