top of page
A1618-1125 In the Hands Of Hate.jpeg

VOICES ON RACISM

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. 
A1416-360 Hate is a virus_edited.png

VOICES ON RACISM

The belief that some races are better than others, or the unfair treatment of someone because of their race.

Cambridge Dictionary

'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H 'Like a game of chess the two stand opposed, black and white against each other, despite being equal they wage a second war, many abused because of their flaws' - A Game of Chess by Jamie H
A1618-1125 In the Hands Of Hate.jpeg

in the hands of hate -
Shahada (16-18, USA)

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

The 7x10 piece "In The Hands of Hate" is a visual representation of what goes on in my head as ablack woman in a world full of hate and police brutality. To create this piece I used colored pencils and black and white pens on mixed media paper. I took a reference picture of myself with red and blue LED lights to imitate police car lights.

hate is a virus- Tiffany
(14-16, USA)

A1416-360 Hate is a virus.jpg

CONTEXT

The COVID-19 pandemic has been severely impacting the lives of everyone for the past year. Our world has flipped upside down, and as more and more people get sick, it is hard to see when our lives will go back to normal. The rapid increase of COVID-19 cases has also unleashed widespread Anti-Asian Racism and Xenophobic attacks. By making this piece, I hope to highlight the importance of solidarity and equality during these unprecedented times and the significance of not discriminating against others based on their race.

A1618-1235 Family Portrait.jpeg

family portrait
- emily (16-18, USA)

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

This piece 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 States these past months. 

they can't burn us all 
- IRIS (16-18, USA)

A1618-2240 They Can't Burn Us All.jpeg

​

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

This painting was inspired by the stark increase in Anti-Asian hate crimes in America since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last July, an 89-year-old Asian American woman was slapped and set on fire in New York, which inspired this painting. Along with this anonymous victim, countless other Asians have been assaulted and even murdered out in public due to the increasing anti-Asian sentiment and Sinophobia that has been exacerbated by some elected officials, including former President Trump, by labelling COVID-19 as “the China Virus.” 

​

Many of the victims of these hate crimes are women, and elderly people, many of whom can’t speak English and defend themselves. With this painting, I wanted to depict the silent dignity that these people exhibit and hope to see the U.S. government take these racist, hateful assaults more seriously.

A1416-2586 American Dream.jpg

american dream - yejin
(14-16,  United states)

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

After seeing the Black Lives Matter and the Stop AAPI Hate Movements in recent times, it was evident to me that the racism that has prolonged in the United States for centuries has yet to be resolved. Although immigrants from all over the world have come to America searching for better opportunities and equal rights, discrimination existing in this country still prevents them from achieving the "American Dream" that they envisioned. This artwork was painted with the hopes that one day in the future, America as a country will be able to resolve the conflicts created by racism and discrimination, and become a truly equal and united nation, just as the three ladies of different ethnicities in my painting are pieced together as one.

meliorism 
- aatikah (16-18, SRI lanka)

A1618-004 Meliorism (1).jpeg
CONTEXT

I painted this picture with acrylic paint on canvas. This picture represents Meliorism; the belief that humans can improve the world. Humans have been in conflict with their own kind for far too long, for very trivial reasons such as the color of their skin and religion. This painting presents the “life after conflict”. Their heads on each other show the support they give each other. The different skin complexions and race of each of the women and the shawl they all wrap around them, symbolizes that no matter the religion or race, they can live a life of unity and peace by supporting each other instead of creating conflict.

Thank you to our supporters:

bottom of page