Mary Westring “Children of Conflict – 10 Years Later”
April 28 – June 3, 2012
Artist’s Reception: Friday, May 11th, 6-9PM
at
FIGUREWORKS
fine art of the human form
168 North 6th St. (1 block from Bedford Avenue “L” train)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211
hours: Saturday and Sunday from 1-6PM
In 2002, Mary Westring traveled to Uganda to confront the ongoing abduction of children who were taken by the Lord’s Resistance Army and used as porters, child soldiers and “wives”. She documented these children through individual portraits expressing their pain and suffering.
Ten years later, Mary has again documented these Children of Conflict, this time with young adults who have lived through this horrific past and become the next generation addressing the changing needs of Uganda. Profoundly different from the children depicted ten years ago, this grouping shows healthy, hopeful and joyous young adults who are now attending college.
Mary and her family have worked for many years to bring attention to this crisis through a small but dedicated organization, uccef.org, which continues to provide much needed support for the positive changes in these children’s lives.
Figureworks is honored to be able to showcase these portraits with their stories.
Akello Lucy Flora – Joseph Kony’s “wife”, 2012, oil and colored pencil on paper, 22″ x 30″
Following is a portrait from her former Children of Conflict series created in 2002. Work from this initial series will also be on exhibit.
Ojara Francis, 2002 colored pencil, dry pigment, gesso on paper, 22″ x 30″
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