“Childhood at a loss between reality and a dream” was the theme chosen by the young artist Basma Shawqi to convey the message of her latest exhibition in
The exhibition featured a large number of black and white paintings in relief which tackled the issue of homeless street children.
Shawqi’s message was clearly conveyed to visitors, especially when they read her introduction to the topic of the exhibition. “A child is a precious gift; none appreciates this gift except one deprived of it. Unfortunately, there are many who abuse or commercialise these children, including orphans or those forced into begging.”
The issue of homeless children was seldom tackled through fine art. Shawqi is one of only a few artists who has expressed an interest in the subject through her work, expressing her idea in a clear and simple style that is easily understood and absorbed by the ordinary observer, whether in the form, content or the poetry accompanying each piece.
The common elements in most of the works are the hopeless look in the eyes of the children; the hands stretched out in a desperate attitude of begging; the shabby and unkempt little bodies. However, at the same time the children have a dreamy expectation of something gained: charity, or even a toy—the normal wish of every other child at their age.
