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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / ART EXHIBITION
TRT: 7:45
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH/NATS
DATELINE: 17 APRIL 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / 23 APRIL 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
17 APRIL 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, exterior of University of Juba
2. Various shots, students in an art studio painting
23 APRIL 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
3. Various shots, art pieces on display during competition
4. Various shots, judges marking pieces ahead of start of exhibition
5. Various shots, people at the exhibition
6. Wide shot, rain
7. Various shots, people
8. Various shots, art pieces
9. Wide shot, event announcing winners/winner approaching to take certificate
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ashraf Kuku, Winner, Peace Begins with Me Art Competition, Student, School of Art, Music and Drama, University of Juba:
“Concerning the piece, I first thought about peace and where it starts from. It is very clear here, that peace is total tranquility, within oneself. If it is not within you, then you cannot go with it anywhere; you cannot give it anywhere. So, for me, if I am to give a name to this piece, I can call it ‘Peace of Mind’ because peace must first begin or it must be initiated within you, then after you, it can spread to other people – to your friends, to your community, to your family and it can expand and go to all the nation.”
11. Close up, winning piece
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Justin John Billy, Associate Professor & Dean, School of Art, Music and Drama, University of Juba:
“This event is like a chance to introduce my students, to see how they can exchange knowledge, how they can tell their own story through painting, through drawing and how they can think before drawing, think of how to be more useful in [their] community, think of how to use the tools that they have been here training to get – to be like a tool that can be used to make change in real life. And that cannot happen unless they feed themselves with this meat, and then try to transform it through the media that they have been training to do.”
13.Wide shot, artist looking at piece that came second
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Dotsei Malor, Chief of Strategic Communications & Public Information, UNMISS:
“We believe strongly in the power of art to achieve good and to do good. We believe fervently that art can play an important role in building a peaceful, prosperous, and protected South Sudan. Art is a powerful medium for communicating our vision of the future of South Sudan. At UNMISS, we believe that the peace we desire must first begin within us, within every single one of us. In fact, I don't believe you can give to somebody something you don't have.”
15. Various shots, students
For four weeks an art competition for 20 students from the University of Juba’s College of Art, Music and Drama – had young, talented student artists pour their hearts, souls and minds – onto canvas, depicting how true peace begins with the individual.
The competition, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, culminated in an art exhibition where 16 pieces were submitted and lined up along a rustic corridor at the School of Art, Music and Drama.
It is part of a year-long campaign – ‘Peace Begins With Me’— marking 75 years of UN Peacekeeping.
The pieces on display reflected 16 rich artistic interpretations of this theme.
Some of the pieces were simple to understand, while others tended to be more abstract.
Despite their stylistic differences, every canvas was a winning piece, showcasing how these artists viewed the concept of sustained peace in the world’s youngest nation.
The day long exhibition attracted students from other parts of the university and outsiders alike.
At a simple and but meaningful event, six winners were announced.
The top three canvases will be displayed at the entrance of the Under-Secretary General for UN Peace Operations, Jean- Pierre Lacroix’s office at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
SOUNDBITE (English) Ashraf Kuku, Winner, Peace Begins with Me Art Competition, Student, School of Art, Music and Drama, University of Juba:
“Concerning the piece, I first thought about peace and where it starts from. It is very clear here, that peace is total tranquility, within oneself. If it is not within you, then you cannot go with it anywhere; you cannot give it anywhere. So, for me, if I am to give a name to this piece, I can call it ‘Peace of Mind’ because peace must first begin or it must be initiated within you, then after you, it can spread to other people – to your friends, to your community, to your family and it can expand and go to all the nation.”
Elated about the involvement of the students and their outstanding work, Associate Professor Dr Justin Billy said he believed that art does indeed have a place in the hearts and minds of communities across South Sudan.
SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Justin John Billy, Associate Professor & Dean, School of Art, Music and Drama, University of Juba:
“This event is like a chance to introduce my students, to see how they can exchange knowledge, how they can tell their own story through painting, through drawing and how they can think before drawing, think of how to be more useful in [their] community, think of how to use the tools that they have been here training to get – to be like a tool that can be used to make change in real life. And that cannot happen unless they feed themselves with this meat, and then try to transform it through the media that they have been training to do.”
Reiterating the overarching theme of the event, a senior official from UNMISS spelt out how art can be used as a powerful peacebuilding tool.
SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Dotsei Malor, Chief of Strategic Communications & Public Information, UNMISS:
“We believe strongly in the power of art to achieve good and to do good. We believe fervently that art can play an important role in building a peaceful, prosperous, and protected South Sudan. Art is a powerful medium for communicating our vision of the future of South Sudan. At UNMISS, we believe that the peace we desire must first begin within us, within every single one of us. In fact, I don't believe you can give to somebody something you don't have.”
The top artists received certificates of recognition and in future, interact with USG Lacroix on the role of the arts in advocating for durable peace.
