Artworks And Movements For Others, Commemorating Peace Through Creativity

Pablo Picasso's workshop (doc. Uniqlo Indonesia)

JAKARTA - Art has long been a strong medium to voice hopes, empathy, and social changes. In a world colored by various challenges, artwork can be a bridge to reflect human values, as well as a safe space to express ideas about a more peaceful and fair world.

One of the movements that utilizes art as a means of dialogue and community involvement is a global initiative titled Bouquet of Peace Workshop, a collaborative space that encourages the public to convey the meaning of peace through visuals and imaginations.

Inspired by Pablo Picasso's Bouquet of Friendship (1958), this activity invites participants from all over the world, including Indonesia, to express their interpretation of the meaning of peace through images.

Previously, Pablo Picasso, known as a painter with a strong commitment to human values, had given birth to many works that voiced suffering and hope, such as Guernica (1937), Dove of Peace (1949), and LHome au Mouton (1943).

Held in 25 major cities globally, the work of the participants will later be assembled into collective art installations that will be displayed in Paris in May. This project is the result of collaboration with international arts and humanitarian institutions, including organizations of the global art community and child protection agencies.

"Through this initiative, we want to invite the public to see fashion can be a medium to voice human values. This Bouquet of Peace workshop activity is presented as a collective reflection space, where hopes for peace can be expressed through artistic expressions," explained Irma Yunita, Corporate Affairs Director of PT Fast Retailing Indonesia (UNIQLO).

This workshop puts forward personal reflection by raising the core question: 'What is the meaning of peace for you?' Participants are asked to create visual works based on the question, referring to the symbol of friendship and harmony illustrated in Picasso's work.

The results serve as a representative of various hopes for a more peaceful world, without boundaries of territory, age, or background.

This activity is also part of the launch of a fashion collection that presents a design based on Picasso's work, where all profits from its sales are channeled to global humanitarian organizations. In Indonesia, the proceeds from donations are allocated to support the Save the Children program in overcoming crucial issues such as poverty, violence against children, discrimination, and the impact of conflicts, in accordance with the permission of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

In Jakarta, representatives from Save the Children Indonesia were also present to share their perspective on the importance of a safe and hopeful space for children, especially those affected by conflict and the humanitarian crisis.

"We believe that every child has the right to live in an environment that supports their growth and well-being. This activity creates space to voice their aspirations, not only to be heard, but also to inspire others," said Bram Marantika, Program Manager of Save the Children Indonesia.

Through this collaborative approach, this artistic initiative is not only a symbol of hope, but also presents real action that has an impact. This project emphasizes that the values of peace can be conveyed and fought for through simple but meaningful forms either through a painting or a collective movement.

In the Bouquet of Friendship, two hands holding flowers are a strong symbol of human connection and the strength of friendship in creating a more peaceful world.

Art movements like these show that creative expressions are able to trigger global solidarity to connect communities, live up to hope, and encourage all of us to be part of a bigger change.