15 March 2021 marked 10 years of conflict in Syria. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have been killed and maimed, millions have been forced to flee their homes, and 13 million people need humanitarian assistance. Syria’s humanitarian needs continue to grow at an alarming rate.
This moment could not pass in silence. These are the voices of 100 Syrians as they shared their experiences over the last decade. Their voices are woven with the music of the renowned Syrian clarinetist, Kinan Azmeh. Through the universal language of music: I wish it had been a dream highlights the enduring strength and hopes of Syrians in their darkest moments.
I was approached by an agency to work on creating illustrations that would accompany the messages but not take over the piece. The goal was to allow the testimonies to take center stage, but add to the context and emotional tone. The scenes inspired a sense of nostalgia, displacement, of destruction and loss.
