The Art of Yazidi Survival
Explore inspiring paintings of resistance and healing by women survivors of the 2014 genocide in Iraq perpetrated by Da’esh
By the United Nations
A Healing Arts story in collaboration with Yazda, Community Jameel and CULTURUNNERS
In 2014 the self-declared Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) seized control of Northern Iraq and launched a campaign of genocide and other mass atrocity crimes. Their main targets were the Yazidi people (a minority group who are indigenous to Kurdistan, a geographical region in Western Asia that includes parts of Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran), Christians and other ethno-religious communities.
Burning Woman (21th Century) by Hana Hassanthe United Nations
Yazidi women and girls were singled out, abducted and sold into a system of enslavement. They suffered sustained sexual, physical and psychological violence, torture and abuse at the hands of their captors.
Behind Every Darkness is Light (21th Century) by Malaeen LUQMANthe United Nations
Behind Every Darkness is Light
"I made this painting to express the pain I went through when Da'esh kidnapped us and separated us from our mothers. They were the most challenging days of our lives, but we did not lose hope. Our mothers were a candle that never went out."
The Art of Survival exhibition has been created by four Yazidi women survivors currently living in IDP (Internally Displaced Person) refugee camps in Iraq.
Paintings by Yazidi Survivors (21th Century) by Yazdathe United Nations
The project aimed to improve the wellbeing of participants through artist-led workshops which built upon the known psychological benefits of group support, artistic engagement, and cultural validation.
Freedom Bird (21th Century) by Ibtihaj AMEENthe United Nations
Freedom Bird
"I want to express the freedom and peace I found in our Yazidi religion after Da'esh were defeated, in particular for the rights of women."
Ebtihaj Ameen, Yazidi survivor
"I am Malaeen....
"I survived captivity and am passionate about my new life. After I was liberated from Da'esh, I joined this art workshop to advocate for myself and other survivors."
"This drawing expresses the power of pain experienced by women in society, and I drew it so that we can always be strong, no matter what happens to us."
"I painted in this picture the darkness and a broken mirror. The painting contains traces of the face and colored fingerprints, which express the Yazidi woman and her strength, no matter what happens to her, and even if she is broken and sees injustice, she remains the god of a colored imprint in life.”
Pictures of the survivor with her paintings (21th Century) by Yazdathe United Nations
"My name is Amsha...
"I have lived the hardest days of my life at the hands of Da'esh. I had believed in my dreams, but they (Da'esh) stole those dreams and my innocence. I don’t consider myself a victim. My struggle made me stronger. Now, I am determined to make my dreams come true, and taking part this project is helping me overcome my sufferings."
Pictures of the Malaeen with her paintings (21th Century) by Yazdathe United Nations
"I created this painting to express the sadness inside of me and to show how I felt while I was in Da'esh captivity, and all the pain I endured while I was there."
"I painted this picture to express my happiness when I escaped from Da'esh and started to live freely. When I was in captivity, my dream was to become free. I am happy that my dream has come true."
"My name is Feryal...
“I paint to express the feelings that I can’t express to other people. In 2014, I was tortured in a way that can not be justified. I was forced into my imagination. I blame the psychological impact of that trauma for the mistakes I have made in my life. But then I decided to challenge my situation and start a new life with my Yazidi family. As a Yazidi Survivor I want protect my religion and my traditions. I am proud now to share my culture with the new generation.”
"I painted this painting to express my happiness when I escaped from Da'esh and dance for joy because I am free."
"I painted this life portrait to express the sadness experienced by the girl who Da'esh kidnapped; and to show that she had lost hope and not expect that one day she would be reunited with her family."
Pictures of the survivor with her paintings (21th Century) by Yazdathe United Nations
"My name is Ebtihaj...
"I am a Yazidi survivor. Da'esh wanted to exterminate my religion but I won’t let that happen. I want to use my art to protect it, along with our traditions and customs. I will not stop preserving my culture so it will never be lost."
Art workshop (21th Century) by Yazdathe United Nations
At the end of the workshops, participants reported a greater sense of agency and hopefulness connected to feeling able to produce and present their artwork as part of a permanent digital archive.
Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Founding Director, Arts & Health at NYU
"The women who created this archive chose to affirm their identity and reflect the strength, dignity, and vitality of their community. This is an essential contribution to the preservation of social memory in the aftermath of violence."
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Art of Survival is a 'Yazidi Cultural Archive' story created by Malaeen Luqman Khalaf, Amsha Ali Ravo, Feryal Saeed Talal and Ebtihaj Ameen Barakat. It is presented by Healing Arts under the auspices of the WHO and organised by CULTURUNNERS and Community Jameel in collaboration with Yazda, Open Mind Project, Blessed Foundation and the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology.
An evaluation of the impact of the archives on the psychological wellbeing of participants is being support from Arts + Health @ NYU and the WHO Arts and Health program.
Special thanks to Nobody's Listening.
All images courtesy of the artists and Yazda.
