Shelter home women paint their pain, dreams

Artworks created by survivors of human trafficking are on display at an exhibition organised by Ewaa Shelters in Abu Dhabi. The exhibition titled Silent Voices expresses the voices of the victims by way of their paintings and other art creations. - Supplied photos

 Each artwork at this exhibition has a story to tell. It is not a regular art exhibition of any normal artist but a realistic, impactful and touching one showing the works of women staying at the Ewa'a Shelters for Victims of Human Trafficking in Abu Dhabi.
Although titled Silent Voices (edition 5), the exhibition actually expresses the voices of the victims by way of their paintings.  It is not only the agony, the bad experience that can be seen through their impactful works but also the hope for a better future they dream of can be seen through their works.
"We use art as a healing process for the victims," Maitha Ghanim Al Mazrui, corporate communications manager at Ewaa Shelters told Khaleej Times on Monday.
Now in its 5th year, the exhibition showcases the compelling artworks of the women in the form of mosaic sculptures, works expressing beauty, injustice and freedom, cabinets, trays and beautiful living rooms, which brings out their fears, frustrations, hopes and dreams through art.
The event serves as both fund and awareness-raiser.
The artworks produced during 16 workshops are being exhibited and sold at the Galleria on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi until Thursday and the proceeds will be donated to Ewaa Shelters.
The exhibition was organised by Ewaa in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) to support victims of trafficking by creating art initiatives to boost their confidence, optimism and self-esteem.
Officials said 15 women victims and residents of Ewaa Shelters were given access to professional material along with one-on-one art classes with the professional artists-Jennifer Simon, Kate Carter and Isabelle Alves to create different works of art.
A powerful artwork, The Mask of Deception, created by a 28-year-old Asian woman is used to express that 'Being beautiful doesn't mean that beauty is for sale' is among the pieces being exhibited. It is priced at Dh1,500.
Another art piece, Beautiful Me, was created by 31-year-old human trafficking victim from Africa. Her drawing shows beauty and how lovely women are. It is being sold for Dh1,500.
Other artworks include wooden chairs, small and large mosaic mirrors, Bukhoor sets, trays and living room sets including a bin, tissue box and a photo frame, art drawings depicting childhood memories, freedom, faith in Allah and others.
"We at Ewaa believe that survivors gain the greatest benefit from their rehabilitation journey through art," Sarah Suhail, general director, Ewaa Shelters for Victims of Human Trafficking.
"We have witnessed a positive impact on how it changes a survivor's state of mind from feeling like an outsider to becoming a lover of life once more. Through art, they learn to embrace life again and attain an inner peace."
"Ewaa Shelters receive victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation and provide them with first relief and support," the corporate communications manager added. 
"We provide the victims with medical care, social and psychological services, legal support as soon as they arrive at the shelter. We also provide them with voluntary repatriation as many are willing to go back to their home countries."
Al Mazrui said currently there are 20 women human trafficking victims at the shelter.
She explained that since its establishment in 2009, the Ewaa shelter has received and catered for more than 263 victims 22 of these children.
The shelter can host up to 60 victims at any one time, including 20 in the men's shelter.
The victims are being transferred to Ewaa shelters by official law enforcement authorities, social centres, religious organisations, embassies and hospitals, and through the centre's hotline and its social media accounts.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com