AS THE anti-war movement builds nationally, the West Country is no exception. Becca Edwards, a Falmouth University MA art student, recently led a public art activity in Exeter city centre.
The project, entitled My Name is Palestine, worked in partnership with the recently reformed Exeter Stop the War Group.
 
Edwards’s task was to collaborate with a local community. She drew an emotive image on a large canvas showing the suffering in Gaza in support of the call for an immediate ceasefire. Palestinian flags represent the hope of peace and justice. She then handed her brushes over to others.
 
Members of Exeter Stop the War, the local Palestinian Solidarity Campaign plus passers-by were asked to complete the picture by painting in Edwards’s outlined images.

She explained, “I conceived a basic design outline using images of the destruction of Gaza along with more hopeful images of solidarity, showing women and children protesting.

“I was amazed at how attracted to the project people were, and the conversations around the ongoing call for a ceasefire were important. It felt like a unifying experience and the people of Gaza will surely be heartened by our support.”
 
The canvas includes a frame of red, white, black and green thread and will be finished with doves of peace.
 
The event was supported by performance poetry and is seen as part of an expanding local campaign in support of the Palestinian cause.
 
Pete Stevenson gave more information: “We recently reformed the Exeter Stop the War Group and use art, music and poetry to communicate the values of international justice and humanity. It’s important to support the members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
 
“They recently held a dramatic mass slow march through the city centre, carrying a coffin to represent the death of humanity with a focus on ending the relentless bombing of Gaza. We seek new ways to deliver our message and Edwards’s public art project is a fine example.”

Both Stevenson and Edwards noted the quality of conversations that the artwork prompted with many newcomers signing a petition to end British arms sales to Israel. They now have an impressive list of new musicians and poets who want to contribute to the next project.
 
“It’s all about positivity,” Stevenson explained, “it’s infectious and we have noticed that the public are now with us in increasing numbers. Sadly, Ben Bradshaw MP refuses to support the call for a ceasefire and an end to the fuelling of the war. If he wants to reflect this shift in public opinion then he must join us.”
 
As a teacher, Stevenson was impressed with the number of children who chose to contribute to the picture, with the support of their parents.
 
Another educational project is the Moon Tell Me Truth poetry anthology, recently presented to Exeter secondary school students.
 
The poems, written and illustrated by Palestinian children aged nine to 15 as part of the Hands Up Project, had a powerful impact on pupils’ learning.
 
Edwards is currently completing the artwork to eventually hang in a local community cafe which is the venue for the meetings of the Exeter Stop the War Group.
 
Pete Stevenson and Becca Edwards are human rights activists in Exeter and Minehead — [email protected].