Bomb Run, based upon a drawing by a young girl undergoing treatment at the Spafford Children's Center in East Jerusalem. The location is the remains of a Palestinian airport near the West Bank Barrier Wall.

Wall Shooting, based upon a drawing by a young boy under the care of the Ibdaa Cultural Center inside the Dheisheh Refugee Camp. The location is along the West Bank Barrier Wall, not far from Ramallah.

8/9/12

SLU Gallery Exhibition Looks At War Through Children's Eyes

CANTON - An exhibition that explores war from the perspective of children living in its day-to-day reality will be in the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery at St. Lawrence University from Wednesday, August 22, through Wednesday, October 3.

"War-Toys" includes photographs by Brian McCarty and drawings by children. McCarty will give a lecture about the project on Tuesday, September 18, at 7 p.m. in Room 123 of the Griffiths Arts Center. The event is open to the public, free of charge.

McCarty states, "Because cognitive ability is often realized ahead of language development, children typically share their experiences and cope with associated feelings through indirect methods of communication, such as art and play. As a result, their personal accounts of war often go unseen, even when studying its effects. Through 'War-Toys,' I use a collaborative process to unlock and articulate children's experiences, turning the language of play into serious dialogue."

Specialized therapists assist McCarty in his process, which includes observation and guided interaction with children under the care of humanitarian organizations operating in geographic areas of active conflict.

The photographs and original children's drawings in this exhibition were produced in 2011, in collaboration with children under the care of the Spafford Children's Center in East Jerusalem and the Ibdaa Cultural Center inside the Dheisheh Refugee Camp, West Bank.

For information or to arrange individual or group tours, contact the gallery at 315-229-5174.

Brush Gallery website