Beirut, 17 July 2019 (United Nations Information Centre) – Under the patronage of H.E. Minister of Culture Mohamed Daoud, and in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut) and the Municipality of Baakline, the Association of World of Art and Heritage has launched an art exhibition entitled “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): from Contemporary Art’s Perspective.” The exhibition is a culmination of an art competition launched in June by the organizers, which consists of a call for creative contemporary artworks that highlight four major UN priorities covered by the SDGs, namely women, youth, peace & security, and climate change.
Over 150 professional artists, representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government officials, social activists, and experts in the art field attended the opening of the exhibition, which featured statements by the representative of the Minister of Culture, Ahmad Nazzal, and the President of the Association of World of Art and Heritage, Randa Taqieddine, as well as the announcement of the winners.
A jury panel composed of professional artists along with UNIC Beirut director, reviewed around 110 paintings and selected judiciously 12 winners, three per each category. Under the category of ‘Women empowerment’, the first place was granted to Ahlam Abbass, the second to Ghada Noureddine and the third to Amal Najjar. The winners of the ‘Climate Change and Environment’ category, were Magida Shaaban for the first place, Wael Hamadeh for the second and Fatima Al Husseini for the third. Under the ‘Youth’ category, the winner of the first place was Hanane Sayegh, while the second and third places were granted to Dalia Najjar and Fouad Al Zibawi respectively. On ‘Peace and Security,’ the three top winners were Faten Khalil, Maroun Nemer and Lili Hamadeh who were granted the first, second and third places respectively.
“Those pioneering artworks convey vital messages of international peace and security, the role that women play in different fronts of life, and the role of young people in spearheading creative initiatives in many areas,” said Nazzal in his opening statement. “Art is a goal through which we fight for our unity and civil peace and preserve our culture and plan for a brighter future. It is the common language that brings us together under one roof,” he added.
For her part, Taqieddine highlighted the fruitful collaboration with UNIC Beirut in organizing the exhibition and in giving it an innovative approach to sustainable development. She thanked the ministry of culture’s patronage of the five-week art exhibition and extended her appreciation to UNIC Beirut and other partnering organizations, “without which this event wouldn’t have been successful,” she said.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates of appreciation to all participating artists in addition to honorary shields to the twelve winners under the four SDGs-related categories. The ceremony was followed by a group photo and a cocktail reception.
The exhibition, which is also held in collaboration with the Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon, the Lebanese Artists Association for Painters and Sculptors, and Baakline Art Gallery, will run daily until 20 August 2019, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Baakline Art Gallery – (Beit Baakline, El Shouf).