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the mental impact of war

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. 
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CONFLICT AND MENTAL HEALTH

A wide range of artworks we receive focus on the effects of conflict on mental health, for soldiers and civilians. The mental effects of trauma and loss can lead to PTSD, depression and other long term struggles, meaning those affected must be supported and cared for.

'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K 'Fathers return with eyes full of pain, haunted by ghosts that will always remain. Hands that once held hope and light, now tremble in darkness, alone in the night. - Extract from Echoes of War: Finding Strength in Struggle by Siyoon K

battle scars
- melissa (16-18, scotland)

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ARTIST'S STATEMENT

This artwork is a needle point textile of a soldier involved in conflict who is trying to heal. The scars are fading as the trauma of conflict is distant. The flower motifs hide the eyes or windows of the soul which will never forget no matter how many years pass. The imagery chosen is hopeful and pastel in colour however the black line work silhouette of the man still looks tortured by his past although the years are memories and he has a new life, his battle scars will always be present.

A1618-2000 Flight to Healing.jpg

flight to healing
- Heejae (16-18, USA)

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

This piece focuses on the perseverance of the people affected by the harms of war and violence. The path of the butterflies leads to a new, peaceful future, where the horrors of violence are non-existent and only in the past as they rebuild and reclaim their lives. The reason people keep living through these unimaginable hardships is because of the thought of loved ones and dreams of a better future. The butterflies fly and escape together, as with everyone supporting each other, they can make their journey possible to reach a new, better, life.

finding peace in time of despair - Timothy (16-18, south korea)

2nd Place - A1618-2372 Finding Peace in the Time of Despair - South Korea.jpg
ARTIST'S STATEMENT

The city ruins in the background depict the devastating aftermath of war. Although the trauma and fear is hard to overcome, the boy tries to cope with these conflicts by listening to music. The peaceful nature of the ocean represents the hope to achieve tranquility, despite the hardships.

A911-1587 Post-conflict feelings - sadness, anxiety, fear.jpg

post-conflict feelings - sadness, anxiety, fear
- gyte (9-11, lithuania)

CONTEXT

Post-conflict, individuals can be left with many strong emotions, such as sadness, anxiety and fear, as pinpointed by Gyte. The end of violence and war in someone's immediate life, doesn't normally end the feelings of stress and grief. Many people struggle for years after conflict, due to mental health issues and a loss in safety and stability. This leaves individuals in uncertain, and often dangerous environments, trying to battle with intense emotions and trauma.


trapped in the past
- Jaeo (16-18, South Korea)
 

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ARTIST'S STATEMENT

This piece was inspired by a famous youtube video which recorded a disorientated soldier experiencing severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his past experiences in war even after his discharge from the military. I was in shock when I watched the video as the veteran was completely unaware of his surroundings and was unstable for over 20 minutes. In the chaotic background with explosions and debris, a soldier is haunted by the turmoil and anguish inflicted by war and trapped in his own version of reality where he is still fighting against his enemies targeted by the government's political agendas. Within this piece, I wanted to think about the true cost of war, not only in terms of physical traumas and fatalites but also in terms of the mental health of those who have served whether voluntarily or involuntarily. I hope this piece could urge our society to prioritze the mental health and well-being of the veterans and cover their inner wounds with our compassion and affinity.

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