The Impact of War Through the Eyes of Our Children Young artists (9–18-year-olds) from around the world capture the realities of conflict in Never Such Innocence 10th Anniversary Art Exhibition at Royal Society of Arts, London

Open to public – free admission: 1st – 2nd, 4th – 5th July Timings: 1st July (12pm-10pm); 2nd July (8pm-10pm); 4th July (8am-8pm); 5th July (8am-8pm)

Never Such Innocence, (NSI) a charity that gives young people across the globe a voice on the realities of war and conflict, will be holding a special 10th Anniversary Art Exhibition at the esteemed Royal Society of Arts in London. This free exhibition will showcase 32 impactful pieces of artwork and poems from children and young adults aged 9-18 years old; capturing how international war and violence impacts their fears and personal hopes for the future. With so many children currently living in a conflict zone, it is vital that adults begin listening to how their decisions affect children, the most vulnerable.

The exhibition draws attention to different themes of historic and current conflict through art and presents a unique opportunity to understand conflict from the younger innocent generation’s point of view. The exhibition aims to empower the next generation of decision-makers and peacemakers to shape a better future that protects our generations to come.

The artwork on display was entered into NSI’s international competition. To date, the charity has received entries from 129 countries to their international competition. The exhibition will feature children’s art from countries including; Sri Lanka, China, Turkey, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Scotland, Canada, Taiwan, United States, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, England, Ecuador. They have received over 25,000 entries over the last 10 years. This is the first ever public exhibition of artwork from their collection.

Air Alarm By Veronika. I, 9-11 years, Ukraine  – ‘There has been a war in my Ukraine for a year now. But every time I hear the sound of the air alarm, I get nervous and angry – for what?’

Image 2: Come Home for Dinner (Please) by Sangeun N., 16-18 years, Singapore – ‘I think war is about something beyond physical destruction and despair on the battlefield. War inflicts emotions like rage, sorrow, and fear on everyone, everywhere. To me, a civilian, war means simply everything that could be lost: the comfort of family meals, the security of having your loved ones around you, and simple peace of mind. My piece is centred around the life of a military family, which is a topic that hits close to home for me since my home country, Korea, mandates military service for all its young men. This means at any time there are thousands of families hoping and praying for peace, like the mother in my work who has cooked a meal for her husband at war. Surely the desperation is felt even more starkly in countries with ongoing wars, and my hope is for people to realise how absurdly destructive war is both on and off the battlefield.’

Image 3: Broken by Aimee W., 16-18 years, Scotland – ‘The focus of this painting and mixed media piece is broken. Mental health has really suffered during lockdown and during the COVID pandemic.’

Image 4: Family Portrait by Emily N.,16-18 years, United States –  ‘This piece, completed in gouache, watercolor, marker, and colored pencil, represents the past and present conflicts that affect my family today as Vietnamese Americans. This depiction of my grandmother is juxtaposed against my own face as I carry her history of the Vietnam War into the future. With the rise of attacks against Asian Americans due to the coronavirus pandemic, I created this piece to pay homage to my grandmother’s history and legacy. The conflict depicted in this piece displays both the literal conflict of the Vietnam War that my grandmother escaped from and the less obvious, racially discriminatory conflict that has resulted in the heinous attacks of elderly Asian Americans in the United State these past months. The vulnerable voices of this racially motivated conflict are the voices of the unheard.’

Image 5: Don’t Ignore the Red Paint by Grace W., 16-18, United States – I chose to do my piece on MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman). MMIW is unfortunately not discussed often and many victims and protesters go unheard. In 2016, there were 5,712 known cases of missing and murdered indigenous women and they are ten times the national average to be murdered. My piece features an indigenous woman with a red handprint on her face and in the background. The red handprint over the mouth is a symbol of being silenced and many have worn it in solidarity.

Image 6: A Child from Syria by Viara P.,9-11 years, Bulgaria ‘There are many conflicts around the world that have a detrimental effect on children. Here is the story of my painting: Amina was a little Syrian girl. She had experienced the horrors of violent and bloody fighting in Damascus, in which thousands of innocent people died. In one such battle, Amina lost her mother, who died to protect her from the bullets. The little girl survived and managed to escape. Together with her grandmother, she came to Bulgaria. Here they were accommodated in a special home. Amina went to school and soon found friends. Every day, however, she remembered her mother and she was very sad. One day Amina decided to paint her. She took chalk from school and went outside. She painted her mother on the asphalt and cuddled in her arms. Amina felt the warmth of her mother’s love again and she was happy.’

Lady Lucy French OBE, Founder & Chair, Never Such Innocence comments: ‘For 270 years the Royal Society of Arts has harnessed the curiosity, creativity and courage of people to realise change: it is a great privilege to be showcasing the voices of children and young people from around the globe there as part of our Never Such Innocence (NSI) 10th Anniversary. For a decade, NSI has seen how children process conflict and envisage peace. Their artworks are powerful and poignant. In a digital age, we are seeing talented poets, artists, writers and songwriters putting pen to paper. Children recording, deciphering and reflecting on war – a band of courageous war artists….This exhibition is for all to see, providing a platform to the future leaders and peacekeepers of the world.’

Andy Haldane, Chief Executive Officer, the Royal Society of Arts adds: ‘The Royal Society of Art’s theme for 2024 is ‘courage’. What better way to explore this theme than through inspiring artwork on conflict by young people from around the world. We are proud to welcome charity Never Such Innocence to The Vaults to showcase the art of the children they work with. They have shown incredible courage in creating such thought-provoking and moving pieces which will help promote empathy at such an important time.’

Dr Alice König, senior lecturer at the University of St Andrews and Visualising War and Peace Project comments: ‘NSI’s growing collection of young people’s art, poetry, speeches and songs is perhaps one of the most important archives in the UK right now. It not only shares their perspectives and expertise on past conflict and its aftermath; it challenges us to approach war and peace differently in future, pointing to new pathways that we have not yet tried. The insights of these young authors, artists, musicians and orators should be taken seriously by politicians, defence strategists, armed forces personnel, humanitarian workers and peace builders. They could change the world for the better.’

Vasko S, 2018 Winner and Never Such Innocence Young Ambassador comments: ‘My first contact with NSI was roughly about 7 years ago, and reading this aloud makes you pause for a minute and think “how time flies so fast”. For that reason you, me and everyone around us has to come to the realisation that our actions have to be well thought out, fast and precisely executed to make a difference in our ever-changing environment. Over the years NSI has done exactly that. I’m honoured and proud to be a part of this cause and team of positive people, especially when the topic of concern is a rough one. When one conversation goes to dark places like the topic of conflict that’s where art comes into play, to soothe the scars of the wounded and to enlighten the future generations with the gift of creativity, to show that even in tough times the human nature finds meaning for life and beauty through art.’

Events during the week:
• Monday 1 July, 6pm. Young artistic reflections: conflict from around the world. Book here.

• Thursday 4 July, 1pm. Reflections on conflict: why we need to listen to the next generation. Book here.

Never Such Innocence 10th Anniversary art exhibition at: The Vaults of The Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam St, London, WC2N 6EZ Open to public – free admission: 1st – 2nd July; 4th – 5th July More about the exhibition and timings here.