nuclear anxiety
Over the course of the last decade, we’ve seen a fantastic selection of work on a huge variety of different conflicts and topics related to them. Below you will find a selection of pieces entered into our international competitions, by young people from around the world. This mini series is a good starting point when considering the many different ways conflict can affect people’s lives. We hope you will dive deeper into many of the topics and learn more.
Please be aware that the information below touches on topics related to war, conflict and its effects. It may therefore not be appropriate for all audiences.
NUCLEAR ANXIETY
Exert from our article on Nuclear Anxiety -
Patrícia Nabuco Martuscelli and Leonardo Bandarra
'Since the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the risk of nuclear war has remained a persistent source of fear and anxiety, particularly among children.'
hope and healing
- Thanh Ngân (16-18, vietnam)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I want to talk about Sasaki Sadako, she was a victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima Japan in 1945. With dedication and determination, she folded 1,000 paper cranes in the hope it would bring her the health and happiness she desired. Unfortunately, she eventually passed away. But her story has since become synonymous with fighting the disease and seeking a better world, and paper cranes have emerged as a symbol of peace and nuclear disarmament.
When thinking about war, people often think about the pain and damage. Sadako is a victim of war, but I wanted to paint hopes and dreams for the future, that even though there is suffering, love, hope, and desire still exist. It is the hope of a better, more peaceful world.
The girl in the painting could be Sadako or anyone who is a victim of war, Paper cranes symbolize the desire for hope, I want us to join hands to fold a paper crane, stand up against war, protect peace, towards a beautiful life.
the shadow of the mushroom cloud
- josie (16-18, canada)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
An anti-war art piece made from cotton and cardboard. It tells a story about war’s destruction and the fragile beauty of peace. Inspired by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and the wars still happening today, the artwork uses simple materials to send a powerful message.
At the top left, a dark gray cotton mushroom cloud—shaped with clay and sticks—hangs heavily, like a warning of nuclear danger. Below it, a cardboard house lies torn and broken, showing how war crushes homes and lives. In front, a small intact house stands with neatly painted windows and a door, symbolizing the quiet strength of peace.
Building this wasn’t easy: the cotton cloud kept collapsing, so I used sticks and hot glue to hold it up. The LED light inside the cloud looked too harsh at first, but adding more cotton layers softened the glow. The cardboard houses were lightweight and wobbly, but a heavy base kept everything steady.
The piece asks viewers to look closer. From the hopeful house to the ruins, and finally to the looming cloud. It’s a reminder of what we lose to violence and what we gain by choosing peace.
on "oppenheimer"
- aliana (16-18, taiwan)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
"On 'Oppenheimer'" is a linocut print I created exploring my conflicted feelings towards the 2023 film "Oppenheimer". While I thought the movie was expertly crafted, I also found it a bit uncomfortable/awkward to watch, because my great-great-grandmother passed away in Hiroshima due to the atomic bomb. It felt weird to be watching a movie that focused solely on Oppenheimer's story and barely mentioned the innocent Japanese people whose lives he impacted so severely, including my ancestors.
The print depicts me sitting in a movie theatre turning away from the movie screen in conflict and confusion. The text reading "I mean it was a great movie, but...", which represents my conflicted feelings towards the movie. Additionally, the thought bubbles show parts of my Japanese heritage: photos of my brother labeled with his middle name "Kenji" (Japanese name), a Japanese flag, and the Japanese style porch which my grandmother passed away on. I chose to go with a linocut poster look for this piece because I wanted the piece to be a play off of a movie poster, which I thought would be fitting for my commentary on the war inspired film.
little boy
- lauren b (16-18, scotland)
The “little boy” created in 1945
Was the first of its kind
A wonder, a marvel of humankind
Was made by great minds
So it was aligned to hit a target
Hiroshima in mind
But they were so blind to see what was their demise on August 6, 1945
Approximately 140,000 people to die by “little boy”
But let’s not be blind. Neighboring cities, towns, villages even countries nearby
Were affected by all kinds: cancer, radiation poisoning, broken bones, burns and the mental scars of what they’ve seen or what they heard
We can say that we left nuclear bombs behind
But isn’t that blind somewhat an awful lie?
Do have I do you remind you In 2022,
I find out that 9 countries had made their own renditions of “little boy”
United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel
Why do we do this?
Didn’t the cries of Hiroshima
Remind us of the consequences of nuclear bombs?
Didn’t their lives matter enough to make us stop?
Why did we do this?
I know they are used for our defense
A weapon to show other countries to mind what they do
But in other countries, can't we trust them enough, through and through?
I mean what if their leader is someone unkind, someone out of their mind
And they have power that can wipe out mankind
What will we do?
I know that it’s not my decision to make
But I worry for someone who has this fate
As this cruel fate, as this fate is unkind
All I can truly say is
that I truly worry about mankind
POEM DESCRIPTION
In this poignant piece, the author reflects on the creation and devastating impact of the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy," dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, the poem explores the human toll of nuclear warfare, highlighting the widespread suffering and long-lasting effects on communities beyond the immediate blast zone. The author questions the rationale behind the proliferation of nuclear weapons by various nations, expressing concern over the potential catastrophic consequences in the hands of unpredictable leaders. Ultimately, the poem serves as a solemn reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation and disarmament to safeguard humanity from the horrors of nuclear destruction.
GAME THEORY AND WAR PREVENTION
- EMMA SOPHIE (11-14, USA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
War has long been part of human history. I have always wondered why nations would go to devastating war instead of seeking a compromise through negotiation? Would it be possible to stop people from fighting wars if we teach political leaders about compassion and sympathy? While compassion is an important human quality, it alone is not enough. Conflicts often arise from complex strategic interactions, different political and ideological interests, and the pursuit of power, which are not always swayed by emotional considerations.
My interest in understanding human behavior and decision-making was shaped by my fascination with game theory. It studies how people make decisions based on their expectations of others' actions. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a classic example. As part of the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union, both countries had to weigh the potential gains and losses of their next steps. The concept of Mutual Assured Destruction eventually convinced both sides to negotiate rather than going to a nuclear war, which would have destroyed the entire world.
While game theory might not be sufficient on its own, it offers a pragmatic framework for modeling conflict, deterrence, and cooperation, offering potential routes for peaceful resolutions.
BLOODY BREAK FROM THE NORM
- EDELINE (14-16, USA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
This multimedia piece displays a charcoal drawing of children in their most natural state— innocently playing outside without a care in the world. In colored pencil are different toys that these children (and commonly many others) hold dear to their heart and love to play with. Each toy is attached by string to each respective child. Covering the whole piece is a red mesh cloth carefully stitched and taped to create folds representing the outward force, pushing the toys outwards to the periphery, caused by the bomb in the middle. The red color signifies the bloody nature of war. The depiction indicates the all consuming behavior of the bomb, representing war, and its ability to destroy all that has been and all that children know. Their opportunity of experiencing childhood and normalcy is taken away by war, represented by the toys that they have lost. The folded outward lines of the fabric are supposed to represent a break/cracking of the “perfect” life that children are supposed to live, where they don’t have a care in the world and can play with all the toys they want.
M.A.D.
- IRENE (16-18, USA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) is the concept that demonstrates how weapons like nuclear missiles and bombs, if ever used, wouldn’t end up benefitting anyone because of the extreme casualties they would cause for both sides. This artwork reflects on what the aftermath of that theory would look like by depicting a desolate landscape with the iconic fist of the Statue of Liberty poking out above the drastically impacted land. The man standing next to the wrist, whom the viewer can assume is Russian, tells his president that the “job” is finally done, but as he looks out at the horizon, he seems to wonder, “At what cost?”. Instead of looking into the past, by looking into a potential future where no one wins, this art piece aims to show the futility of some wars and why such conflict should be avoided.
the power to prevent war
- neo (11-14, south korea)
I’m cold and alone in the darkness,
with only an emergency alarm that flickers.
No one has visited me for months.
I know many of my kind are scattered around the countryside.
I wait for the time I am used,
but I know the horror it will bring.
An ancestor caused a massive mushroom cloud.
Its shockwave killed people from every walk of life.
|My power of destruction is 30 times more devastating than Little Boy.|
I can picture myself launching on a clear summer day,
traveling with haste.
I would scream in the air,
my mind filled with the idea of nearly blowing up a whole country.
That capability is why I hope I am never used,
and simply destroyed for scrap.
I would wish for my metal to be used for a wheelchair.
But, the fact that I remain in my silo keeps peace in my nation and for my allies.
POEM DESCRIPTION
Living beside a couple nuclear armed countries, I fear that my small nation (South Korea) might one day be destroyed. It seems that those nations keep peace in the region through the destruction they can cause. North Korea still stands today in part because of their decision to arm themselves.
If there is a World War III, it is said that the next war would be fought with sticks and stones. That implies that nuclear warfare would largely wipe out human civilization. That thought keeps the peace.
a vivid demise
- marysabella (14-16, USA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
My piece, A Vivid Demise is inspired by nuclear war and its long lasting effects on our world. The piece shows a man representing the future and a woman representing the past. The woman is disappointed in humanity’s destruction of the earth and the man is still dealing with the war’s effects hundreds of years later.
ephemeral tranquility
- eva (14-16, SOUTH KOREA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
The inspiration behind the painting came from the idea that war could take one’s everyday life and normality away in such a short amount of time. This idea is demonstrated through the placement of the bomb, looking as if it is about to drop in an instant. In contrast, the rest of the scenery other than the bomb looks peaceful and tranquil, representing calm before the storm. The painting portrays a scene where a bomb is about to drop in an undisturbed, serene environment, thus the title ‘Ephemeral Tranquility’. The silhouettes of people colored in black equate to the blank spaces left behind by the war, symbolizing their death. Furthermore, the giant hand that holds the bomb depicts the people that started and initiated the war. As a whole, the painting conveys that war could take away people’s day-to-day lives in an instant.
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