From Baghdad to Peace Country
Loading…
In 1999, a life-altering journey to Baghdad changed the focus of Canadian artist Deryk Houston's work. His canvas would be the Earth. His inspiration would be peace. Unable to remain an outside observer of the crisis in Iraq, Deryk travelled there to witness first-hand the impact of international sanctions on the Iraqi people. Deprived of basic medicines, adequate food and clean water, an estimated half-million children under the age of five have died as a result of war and the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations in 1991 (UNICEF). Compelled to speak out, the artist embarked upon a unique nature art project designed to call attention to the situation of the children of Iraq. Using rocks, gravel and hay, Deryk began to create large-scale art installations in the image of a mother and child against diverse landscapes around the world. With footage from Deryk's travels to Baghdad and Scotland, this documentary follows the artist as he works with his young son Sam to compose the largest and most challenging of his works: a permanent mother and child sanctuary located in the Peace River country of northeastern British Columbia.
2003, 28 min 32 s
Rating: 
Views: 67
Favorite of 1 person
Location: Victoria, BC
Latest Videos
1 Comment
Add a Comment
You need to be a member of Beyond War to add comments!
 |
 |
and the Foundation for Global Community. To join them as a sponsor or ally click here.
© 2009 Created by Beyond War
☆Each person in a conflict has needs. To settle it, you have to consider that.
☆The film really stresses the humanitarian aspects of war. People, children, all of us are not statistics.
☆Sanctions are just another form of war. They penalize the civilian population, especially the poorest of them.
☆Deryk got angry at what he saw in Iraq, and so started blaming. He found he was only making enemies by doing that, not friends. He realized that we're all part of the solution. For example, we all need to adhere to international law.
☆His sensitivity to the suffering mothers and children, and his sensibilities in his art are beautiful qualities.
☆Standing up for human rights is not political.
☆We have a choice: the status quo or we can work for peace. Destruction or survival.