Transforming tragedy through creativity
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 15th March 2023
A new exhibition opening soon at Tūranga Central Library demonstrates the power of art as a tool for healing.
Raising Sakinah | Finding Peace showcases artworks created by survivors of the 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks and their supporters.
In the aftermath of the Mosque attacks, 21 survivors and supporters worked with artist and photographer Janneth Gil and a number of other collaborators.
During workshops held at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Ōtautahi Creative Spaces during 2021 and 2022, the participants made linocut prints using inks created from the March 15 tributes, photographs and stories.
It is part of the broader Darkness into Light project which was created by Janneth Gil in the wake of the terrorist attacks and which sought to use art and photography as a tool for ongoing healing and education.
Ms Gil says the social interaction and discussion that took place during the art-making workshops was an integral part of the process.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be able to create this type of work that can help with the healing process of the people affected directly by the March 15th attacks. I'm deeply grateful for the hundreds of people who collaborated to make this happen.”
Watch a short video about the art workshops after the March 15 attacks (YouTube).
Raising Sakinah | Finding Peace will be on display at Te Pito Huarewa | Southbase Gallery, (Level 2 at Tūranga) from Saturday 25th March to Sunday 21st May 2023.
Find out more Raising Sakinah | Finding Peace exhibition.
A range of events will be held at Tūranga in conjunction with the exhibition:
- A documentary screening and panel discussion on Sunday 26th March at 2pm.
- Mindful Printmaking Workshops will be held on Thursday 13th April and Monday 17th April (1.30 to 3.30pm). These are bookable online for ages 10 to 15 years.
- Badges for Peace Workshops on Saturday 8th April and Saturday 20th May (2.30 to 4pm) are free drop-in sessions.
- Join the Darkness into Light project team on Sunday 21st May to mark the exhibition’s closing weekend with a book launch, documentary screening and panel discussion with the makers of Finding Peace and members of the Muslim community.
Get more details on events related to the Raising Sakinah | Finding Peace exhbition at Tūranga, including how to book your spot for the workshops.