Child of War launches to acclaim at Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, London

May 2024

Child of War premiered on 22-23 May 2024 to great acclaim at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Mayfair, London.

The landmark Exhibition by Arabella Dorman, in partnership with Beyond Conflict and the Cathedral, saw more than 250 people attend VIP receptions over two days and was opened by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski on 22  May. The VIP guests at receptions over two nights included HRH Prince Michael of Kent, UNICEF Ambassador and war reporting legend Martin Bell OBE and Sunday Times Chief Correspondent Christina Lamb OBE.

The Exhibition also featured on the national news on ITV’s News at 10. Watch the link here: https://www.itv.com/news/2024-05-23/they-often-go-unheard-new-exhibition-gives-a-voice-to-children-of-war

Click the photo below to see more event highlights:

Arabella is an award winning international war artist and Beyond Conflict Ambassador who has covered conflicts around the world. Child of War featured her first paintings on the Ukraine war, as well as hundreds of artworks and words by children from across Britain and the world, in collaboration with War Through Children’s Eyes, a competition set up in 2022 by Narmina Mammadova. The Exhibition also features a unique installation of exhibits from a bombed school in Hostomel, Ukraine, following a visit last summer by Arabella and Beyond Conflict’s Director.

Bishop Kenneth praised the moving and important exhibition in his inaugural speech and was pivotal to connecting the artist to the ruined school in Hostomel last year.

Arabella Dorman said:

“ More than ever before, children today find themselves targeted, vulnerable and exposed to the full horror of modern warfare. As silent victims, it is children who stand on the frontline of the world’s most devastating conflicts, bearing the brunt of violence, trauma and loss.”

Beyond Conflict Director/Co-Founder said:

“An attack on a child is an attack on the future of the world… Imagine being a child facing the daily fear of bombs. They grieve for loved ones. Witness unspeakable horrors. Sometimes alone, at risk of abuse or trafficking. And then even when the bombs stop, when the guns fall silent, these children continue to live with war raging inside their minds.”

Click the photo below to see more artworks:

Child of War aims to become a platform to further develop the conversation about war and how it impacts the child and their mental health. On June 6 2024, Beyond Conflict and the Ukrainian Welcome Centre at the Cathedral will co-host a panel discussion in London on children of war and the mental health impact, with leading speakers from around the world in attendance.

These include: Iuliia Osmolovska, Director of GLOBESEC Kyiv Office and head of the Taskforce on PTSD. She is a member of the Civil Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Golam Abbas, a retiree of UNHCR after an illustrious 37 year career in which he served in senior level positions across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Abbas is also BC’s partner in the Rohingya project; as well as Arabella who will discuss her work over two decades as a war artist; and Narmina Mammadova, Founder of War Through Children’s Eyes. The event will be moderated by Beyond Conflict Chair Edmund Newell.

(With thanks to photographer Jonathan Milton for some of his images of the artwork and events)