The students of No Lost Generation, a student-run refugee advocacy club, have been tirelessly working to bring attention to the struggles of refugees worldwide. Their latest endeavor, a refugee art exhibit, showcased the powerful and poignant works of refugee artists from across the globe.
On April 3, the ICC galleria was lined with black easels, each canvas a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Paintings depicted women in sorrow, resistance, and even flight. One particularly striking piece showed a row of dancing women holding bird cages in their hands, as if trying to break free from the constraints of their past.
The exhibit, hosted by No Lost Generation, was a collaboration between the club and two organizations: ArtLords, a street art organization founded in Kabul in 2014, and Parla Arte, an initiative that supports refugees in D.C. by selling their artwork. The showcase was part of No Lost Generation’s annual Refugee Week of Awareness.
“When you really boil down to it and look at these amazing pieces people are creating and the emotions they convey, I think it just really shows the impact of everything going on. It’s just a great way to empower different refugee voices so they could tell their story.”
According to Logan, the paintings displayed in the showcase were part of ArtLords’ “I Stand with You” campaign, which aims to recognize the Taliban’s treatment of women as gender apartheid. ArtLords has painted over 2,200 murals in Afghanistan, using art as a form of activism.
“We wanted to work on different social issues, but we wanted to do it through unconventional ways,” Lima Halima-Khalil, co-founder of ArtLords, said. “The ‘I Stand with You’ campaign also offers financial support to Afghan artists both inside and outside of the country.”
The campaign has partnered with several universities to spread awareness about the conditions of women in Afghanistan. In March, ArtLords hosted a town hall and painted a mural at the College of William and Mary.
- These partnerships highlight the importance of art in bringing attention to social issues and promoting change.
- The “I Stand with You” campaign is a powerful example of how art can be used as a tool for activism.
- The financial support offered by the campaign is crucial in providing artists with a means to continue creating.
| Parla Arte | Was created in 2024 by Rania Najih, a senior at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. |
| Started working with the Immigrant & Refugee Outreach Center (IROC) to create a similar initiative. | Najih emphasized the critical role art can play in providing an outlet for healing. |
At the showcase, Parla Arte sold handmade items, such as jewelry, placemats, bags, and other crafts, created by refugees currently living in the D.C. area. Sales from the artwork went directly to the artists.
“Initially, I focused on painting, but I quickly discovered that the refugees possessed incredible talents in various areas, including sewing, embroidery, and a wide range of crafts,” Najih wrote in a statement to the Voice.
- Definitions:
- Art as a medium for healing
- Art as a tool for social change
- Refugee voices empowerment
Despite obstacles and challenges, the artists and organizations involved in the exhibit continue to push forward, using art as a means to raise awareness and promote change.
No Lost Generation has responded to recent political developments by increasing fundraising efforts and continuing congressional letter writing and lobbying.