- Title: Jordanian artist tackles extremist ideology through art
- Date: 11th July 2017
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (JULY 8, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARTWORK BY ARTIST, GHAIDA ABDELRAHIM PAINT AND PENCILS USED BY ABDELRAHIM VARIOUS OF ABDELRAHIM WORKING ON AN EASEL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN ARTIST, GHAIDA ABDELRAHIM, SAYING: "Through my drawings I would like to say that, as an enlightened generation, we must elevate our thoughts and our culture. We must not allow the indoctrination of children with incorrect ideas, this in itself is terrorism. We must adhere to religion and be more thoughtful and more aware in order to combat terrorism and eliminate it completely." VARIOUS OF ABDELRAHIM WORKING ON A PAINTING ABDELRAHIM TALKING ABDELRAHIM PAINTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN ARTIST, GHAIDA ABDELRAHIM, SAYING: "Children are the victims of terrorism, they are the most affected group. I really wanted to draw them, their expressions, their childhood that is lost due to terrorism, lost due to destruction. Most of my drawings are about them." VARIOUS OF A DRAWING DEPICTING A GIRL PROTECTING HERSELF AGAINST A GUN USING FLOWERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN ARTIST, GHAIDA ABDELRAHIM, SAYING: "It is obvious that terrorism is full of destruction, weapons and death. But the idea we want to convey is that, instead of bullets, we can plant flowers, and there can be more security than bullets. I have several drawings where I decided to replace blood and bullets with flowers." VARIOUS OF ARTWORK BY ABDELRAHIM WRITING ON A DRAWING READING (Arabic): 'NO TO TERRORISM'
- Embargoed: 25th July 2017 10:14
- Keywords: Jordanian artist extremism awareness war artwork
- Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
- City: AMMAN, JORDAN
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Art,Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0016P9TG7P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A young Jordanian artist is hoping to tackle extremist ideology -- using her paintbrush and charcoal pencils.
Ghaida Abdelrahim, a 21-year-old artist based in Amman, hopes her artwork will raise awareness of the dangers of extremism.
"Through my drawings I would like to say that, as an enlightened generation, we must elevate our thoughts and our culture. We must not allow the indoctrination of children with incorrect ideas, this in itself is terrorism. We must adhere to religion and be more thoughtful and more aware in order to combat terrorism and eliminate it completely," she said.
Abdelrahim first started drawing when she was just five years old.
Her mother, who is also an artist, discovered her skills and encouraged her to nurture her talent.
After witnessing the struggles of Syrian and Palestinian children, many of whom are refugees in Jordan, Abdelrahim said she was inspired to depict their journey through her art.
"Children Children are the victims of terrorism, they are the most affected group. I really wanted to draw them, their expressions, their childhood that is lost due to terrorism, lost due to destruction. Most of my drawings are about them," she said.
Her artwork is mostly composed in shades of black and white, as she wanted to represent the bleakness that accompanies war and terror.
One of her favourite pieces shows a young girl protecting herself from a rifle using flowers.
"It is obvious that terrorism is full of destruction, weapons and death. But the idea we want to convey is that, instead of bullets, we can plant flowers, and there can be more security than bullets. I have several drawings where I decided to replace blood and bullets with flowers," Abdelrahim said.
Abdelrahim has participated in several exhibits and has donated some of her pieces to charity.
The young artist's dream is to become an art teacher and inspire others to use art as a tool for social change. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
