Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee discusses The World Peace Project: A Global Arts Initiative
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee serves as an honorary juror of The World Peace Project: A Global Arts Initiative. This week she named her favorite works of art from among the current 117 finalists, and commented on the project.
The World Peace Project features artists and artisans around the globe who are leading a timely new international effort to spark dialogues about peace and paths to peace. This evolving exhibit showcases peace-themed paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from around the world — and includes explanations from each contributor about their vision of peace. The project is hosted online by fair trade leader NOVICA at novica.com/peace-project.
“It was a wonderful experience reviewing the arts in all four categories,” Gbowee said. “As I reviewed the amazing works and the meditated-on intent of the project, I was searching to see a project that resembled and embodied what my definition of peace is. I believe peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of conditions that dignify all of us.
“The question may be, what are those conditions? Food, health, housing, education, safe climate, including all the basic human security needs that create space for all to thrive,” Gbowee continued, adding, “For a long time in our world, peace has been seen as ending wars — leaving out the major drivers of conflicts in our resolution processes. I believe it is time for us to not just see peace differently but to engage all peace-making processes from a holistic perspective and not in silos as we have done for decades.”
After reviewing the current finalists in The World Peace Project: A Global Arts Initiative, Gbowee explained: “My decision and selection were driven by my perspective on peace and my vision for a holistic approach to conflict resolution. It was both an interesting and a difficult process. I spent a lot of time looking at the works of art and reading the artists’ narratives of what they created.”
Leymah’s own story is a testament to the power of individuals to make a difference and transform the world. She was successful in leading thousands of women in nonviolent protests to defeat Liberia’s brutal warlord-president and bring an end to the country’s 14-year civil war in 2003. Today, she continues to inspire and lead through her nonprofit organization, the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, which empowers women and youth through education and leadership development. Gbowee’s motto, “The world is upside down. It’s going to take a lot of hands to turn it right side up,” seems to encapsulate the essence of effective activism.
Gbowee continues her tireless work as a peace leader, both nationally and globally. Her story is featured in the documentary film Pray the Devil Back to Hell and in her memoir, Mighty Be Our Powers.
Here are the five peace-themed works of art that most captivated Gbowee’s attention:
Favorite peace paintings:
“These two paintings captured the essence of peace in today’s world – Climate, Justice, Gender and Human needs,” Gbowee commented.
“Untitled – Inside Out.” A fusion of plants, humans, houses, and birds are balanced on the scales of justice and set in a half-globe denoting peace in this painting by Akwele Suma in Ghana.
“Child’s Affection for World,” by Ada Ratna Ningrum in Indonesia, in which a young girl sits protected under a tree in a thriving green field of harmonious flowers. Finding hope in nature, the young girl embraces a dim globe to bring rejuvenation and a return to innocence, symbolizing harmony.
Favorite peace textile:
“Sowing Honesty,” by Teofilo Choquecahua, Peru. “This tapestry is a message of world peace from my Andean worldview,” explained the artisan, adding, “On a daily basis, man has experiences without empathy with his neighbor, because of the lack of honesty between each one of the individuals. It is for this reason that my tapestry is designed to reflect that if we cultivate honesty, we will all be loyal and without any violence.”
Favorite peace sculpture:
“Burying Weapons” by Miguel Mejia, Peru. “This sculpture is based on a reflection of life that is very important to me,” the artist explained, adding, “Having lived in a country where it is very easy to see violence, it opens my eyes and gives me clarity on the path that I want to follow and teach as I walk through life. Between human beings, we can shake hands for collective growth as a society and illuminate our path towards peace, without violence and with respect for everything around us.”
Favorite peace jewelry:
“Bound by Peace” by Silvia Lima, Brazil. The artisan-designer explained that amethyst is considered a stone of peace, transformation and wisdom. “I hope and wish that people are aware of the importance of seeking inner peace, through love, compassion, tolerance and respect for others,” Lima commented.
