LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS – ART EXHIBITION BY REFUGEES

The Women’s International Traveling Art Exhibition opening took place at the Love Without Borders Art Gallery on November 1st in Athens, Greece.

This extraordinary exhibition showcased captivating works of art crafted by talented female artists from 14 different countries, including members of the refugee community in Greece. The exhibition celebrates diversity and creativity, featuring artwork by females from various ages and backgrounds, alongside accomplished artists from around the world.

“I am grateful today that, with the help of many, we are able to provide housing for people who are displaced and would have otherwise been living on the streets or in refugee camps. They can wake up to a hot shower and healthy food. I wish that was the case for all. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported us along the way,” says Kayra Martinez, founder of Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need (LWB).

“Today, we are excited to open the doors of our art gallery in Athens and showcase 43 beautiful pieces of art from women from 14 countries. The proceeds from this exhibition will go towards supporting women and children, men, helping them find homes, providing food for their families, and empowering them towards independence. We are truly thankful for this special opportunity, and we hope to continue our important work together.”

This exhibition is LWB’s 148th art event since the organisation began in 2015 when Martinez – an American citizen working as a flight attendant and volunteer in Germany – connected her travels and desire to give back with the need for grassroots organisations to step in where NGOs couldn’t.

“We have helped bring aid, start schools, art classes and helped one on one with support to help the people fleeing their homes,” she says.

At the start of the migration crisis in Greece, Martinez worked in the tents of camps near the northern borders of Greece. She supplied paper and crayons to help children create art as a means of healing the trauma of their experience.

Once she moved to Athens, she worked to provide art classes and workshops to refugees in need – sometimes in parks or even her own apartment. After Covid restrictions lifted, she decided that Love Without Borders needed a sustainable and long-term place to operate. Through social media campaigns and private donations, they purchased and renovated what is now the LWB Art Gallery as part of a larger housing initiative.

The goal is that LWB becomes a refugee-led organisation. “Refugees have big talent, and they should run the programs and show they can be leaders,” says Martinez.

One such talent is a young man from Syria who found himself in jail. To help him cope under these difficult circumstances, Martinez told him to paint. Despite being sceptical of this advice, he started painting and has become an exceptional artist. He is now a key member of the LWB team, on the ground in Athens full time.

Meanwhile, Martinez uses her travels as a flight attendant to bring LWB artwork all over the world with pop-up art shows, speaking engagements to provide education about the refugee crisis and working with schools and universities.

She has arranged student volunteers from various high schools and universities to come to Athens, Greece to work alongside the refugee community in workshops for everything from STEM to music, dance, and art. Not only do these volunteer opportunities have an impact on refugees in need, but they also change the lives of the students who have volunteered.

As the organization continues to expand and develop, there will be more art workshops and events involving refugees and volunteers working closely together. This growth is a testament to LWB’s commitment to supporting and empowering artists in their journey towards rebuilding their lives. By providing a platform for self-expression and economic independence, LWB enables these remarkable people to share their stories, connect with people locally and globally, and promote understanding and acceptance for all.

The proceeds from the sale of artwork directly benefit the artists, and some artists have generously contributed their pieces to support displaced women. The Women’s International Traveling Art Exhibition will run until December 2023 at the LWB for Refugees in Need Art Gallery in Athens, Greece. Additionally, Martinez has exciting plans for future events, including a men’s exhibition and a children’s artwork show in the coming months, building on the success of her first 148 showings.

 

Artwork for sale to benefit refugees in Greece can be found at Love Without Borders. 

This article is excerpt from the interview Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need Hosts Women’s Traveling Art Exhibition from the Layers Issue of Trend Prive Magazine.