“Lost Souls”
Collaborators’ Q&A
What is behind your choice of this piece of art in response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis?
Artist Undine Brod: Although not made with refugees in mind at all, I chose to submit the piece “Lost Souls” to Broadsided for the Syrian Refugees Responses call, because these figures speak to me about being adrift. It is not a piece with much hope; rather, the figures are stuck to the wall as if forced into this position. There is a heavy weight about their bodies, which hang limp and motionless. I imagine some of these feelings are similar to what refugees experience. I am filled with sadness over the plight of refugees and cannot imagine the feeling of being without a home.
What do you think is the role of art in regards to real-world, real-time events? In other words, what makes a “successful” occasional or political piece of writing or art?
Artist Undine Brod: One role of visual art is to reflect the era and culture in which it was made. Visual art has the potential to share information with others through communicating ideas, emotions and information in a non-verbal manner. All art can cross borders in peaceful ways, bringing humanity along with it to places in need. Art gives voice to those perhaps without voice.