Winners of the 2022 Sadat Art for Peace Competition Revealed
Each year, students in the Department of Art submit two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces depicting a selected theme of peace and reconciliation for the Sadat Art for Peace Competition. The winners of this year's competition, for which "Islamophobia" was the theme, are featured below.
First Place, 3-Dimensional Category
Title: "лотос"
Artist: Zijie Zhu
Media: Mixed-media
Description: Lotuses emerge from the muddy current of the ponds; pure, peaceful, and enchanting. Its luscious green leaves reach for heaven. It hides precious roots under the dark water while presenting its nutritious seed to the world above. In addition to the fact that its medicinal properties can relieve pain, treat bleeding disorders, etc., it is known in Asian culture to represent purity and prosperity.
The essential aspect of this artwork is to promote positivity, balance, and healing. Under the occurrent world condition, there is needless innocent bloodshed for unjustified action of political leaders; people are being discriminated against because of their religious belief, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It is the poison that slowly segregates our society. We all need a place to heal and to redirect our energy to be hopeful again.
Second Place, 3-Dimensional Category
Title: "Insidious"
Artist: Su Han
Media: Wood and found metal objects
Description: "Insidious" evokes the hope and intensity of Islamic art to dilute and dissipate the corruptive effects of racism. The arachnid-like bottom structure is sharp and angular, painted black with the darkness and ignorance that infects the unaware. As this threatening form attempts to penetrate the grate, the grate forces a change in its form until the structure becomes more and more rounded and lighter in color. The geometric and floral, almost vegetal aspects of the design elicit an extrusion of the form until it is a vague abstraction of the nightmare that was. It speaks to the gentle tidal wave of Islamic art that initiates change and empathy.
First Place, 2-Dimensional Category
Title: "A Thousand Needles"
Artist: Hosna Shahramipoor
Media: Photography with physical manipulation
Description: The targets of islamophobia are most often Muslim women rather than men, because of the hijab. Muslim women find themselves at the edge of a double-sided coin—one side being the embrace of their customs, the other being the painful discrimination brought upon by the judgment of non-Muslims. Many Muslim women remain silent in the face of the many adversities and hardships this conundrum brings upon them. In my self-portrait with a hijab and a thousand needles sticking out from my face, each of these countless needles represents a biased attitude, emerging, transformed, into metaphorical self-defense mechanisms.
Second Place, 2-Dimensional Category
Title: "Heritage"
Artist: Casey Taira
Media: Acrylic paint on wood
Description: Born from prejudice and hatred, Islamophobia is something that invades all aspects of life. It permeates the bipartisan walls of congress and slinks under the closed doors of classrooms. It manifests itself in microaggressions on the streets of this “free” country and makes itself known through the news on our televisions. And within each action of a headscarf being yanked down, of a blanketed heckle, or of an assault on the subway, exists a quiet genocide against the culture and religion of Muslim communities seeking refuge from war-torn homelands.
The mental and emotional burden, carried by a group ostracized, weighs infinitely on the young–on the next generation meant to pass on the teachings. How can a community survive when assimilation threatens its customs with erasure? How can those of the future bear the pressure of a waning legacy? This piece speaks about the fear and apprehension invoked by the daunting responsibility of chasing a threatened connection. However, it also highlights the hope and resilience that individuals who tread this thorny path possess.
Third Place, 2-Dimensional Category
Title: "Legacy"
Artist: Haoran Li
Media: Acrylic on canvas
Description: A greater appreciation for Islamic architecture and art has entered the public consciousness in recent years. From buildings, paintings, and textiles integrating arches and geometric design, we can see the impact of Islamic art in our everyday lives. It is a shame to co-opt this beauty while simultaneously condemning and discriminating against the culture that created it. Art is and should continue to be, a celebration of identity.
To learn more and view previous years' competition winners, please visit sadat.umd.edu/events/sadat-art-peace-competition
Published on Tue, May 3, 2022 - 2:53PM