( See The bigger picture! )

by Suzan El kady (Egypt)

Making a local connection Libya

Four years ago, I started studying sculpture art, but when I travel to libya I start to hear a lot of words from those around me, such as: This study is not useful, your study is worthless. ‘you are not a doctor to treat patients or a lawyer to defend the accused. Art has no importance and no future. In addition to, the art of sculpting is a taboo, but people have no prior experience or knowledge about arts. Yes, this is the culture of these state It is critical problem that we suffer from as it has a negative impact on individuals and leads to severe psychological pressure such as depression that can lead to commit a suicide. I decided to challenge myself and those around me to prove the opposite of their concept by sharing the sculpture art in my life in different aspects especially voluntary work. For start, I participated in organizing “orphan’s day “as there were lots of activities to do with children, and I had this idea to bring them the Aswan mud and asked everyone to make anything they feel, things they want to express and show. As a result, some beautiful young blind child embodied his parents’ in a great shape, and some other child expressed his nostalgic for his father and sculpture peacefully. The children felt tranquillity and love because they took out what was inside them and we understood their feelings towards their parents. Everyone saw this in overwhelming and affection. I was able to prove to everyone that arts can benefit society, embrace beliefs and ideas and deliver a message not only that, but also it is bridge between cultures Moreover, I was able to address this problem on social level as well through my participation in extensive training from (CEOSS) through traveling to several governorates, creating community dialogue and discussions, working in groups, exchanging cultures, conflict resolution and negotiation. At the end of the training I launched an initiative and it was implemented by a team, entitled (See the bigger picture!) that aims to change values in society through media and videos. I believe that art can express opinions and deliver goals without disasters, so I hope to spread peace and serve society through art, We can also solve this problem in different ways, such as conducting awareness campaigns and initiatives with a unique idea that reaches youth, and the elderly in all governorates, inviting people to understand more and research before judging or expressing an opinion. perhaps one of the most important solutions on the personal level is excellence and the challenge. To sum up, I believe that people fear what they do not understand but with little enlightening, fear can turn into love and acceptance.