SANAA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Yemeni artist uses broken glass fragments left by airstrikes and bombardment to create artworks that illuminate the destruction wrought by conflict.
"I think art is one of the best ways of showing the scars left by war on Yemenis. The broken glass shows how fragile peace is and how brutal war is," said Ruqaya Al-Wasai, a Yemeni woman artist who just held a personal exhibition in Yemen's capital of Sanaa.
The exhibition's title, "Al-Shaqous," pays homage to the iconic glass windows adorning traditional houses in Sanaa's history-rich landscape. Al-Wasai's artworks, composed of shattered glass pieces collected over years of airstrikes and bombardment, serve as a poignant narrative of the city's struggles.
"I have collected those glasses throughout the years and painted on them the stories of our life," explained the artist.
For Al-Wasai, these broken glass fragments transcend mere debris; they encapsulate memories of victims, displaced persons, orphans, and widows. Despite their shattered state, she endeavors to convey beauty, the essence of residents' souls, and the love that once defined every Yemeni home before destruction.
Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government out of the capital Sanaa.
"We wish peace, security, and safety for all, living in love and happiness, looking at the completed and beautiful glass, not the broken ones, and contemplating its reflections and colors," Al-Wasai added.
The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million, and pushed the poorest Arab country to the brink of starvation.
Al-Wasai's thematic exploration also extends to the pivotal role of women, whom she regards as integral to social, cultural, cognitive, and economic progress.
Through her drawings, Al-Wasai implores societies to rally behind women, highlighting their achievements and successes in Yemen, where gender equality has been a great concern.
"Many of the artworks here are about women. We have created many great arts and made other significant achievements in Yemen and we should be seen and heard," Al-Wasai added.
Alawi Al-Saruri, a visitor to the exhibition, said, "Yemen is rich in creative artists, and holding exhibitions like this raises their morale and motivates them to exploit their arts and talents." ■
