Face_WSLOT

Exploring the lives of three female ex-child combatants in post-war Sierra Leone

13 July - 23 September 2006

Face_WSLOT is the first part of Face - the interdisciplinary societal art project by Meira Asher , bodylab art foundation . Face_WSLOT consists of an art installation, CD-book publication, documentary film, and a Tertiary Education Support Initiative for Women in Sierra Leone (TESI-WSL).

The art installation explores and portrays the lives of three female ex-child combatants in post-war Sierra Leone and the psychophysical adjustments they undertake in order to come to terms with their experience are confronted. The depth with which they share their realities, and their opinions, with us clarifies the child combatant routine existing in at least 40 other countries and strengthens females undergoing similar experiences. Empowered by their past and present, they demand a just society.

The past experience, present-day existence and the mutual feedback of the two in their lives are expressed by means of sound, video, photography, interactive machines and chemically modified fabrics in a transformed space.

Numerous girls were abducted and raped, forcibly recruited, or volunteered for protection. They were used as fighters, sex slaves and labourers by all parties to the conflicts in the decade long civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. In addition to combat duties, many were subject to sexual abuse; some taken as 'wives' by rebel commanders, impregnated and forced to brutalise others.

Installation credits:

With the participation of Anita Jackson , Chris Conteh and Mahade Pako .

Meira Asher -creation, direction, sound, photography, Joost Nieuwenburg - realisation, Henia Eizenberg -textile work, Flashkes Hila -camera, Amos Elmaliah -video editing, Inge Simonis -Ceramic elements, Strange attractors -maps, catalogue, Halima Lukay -production assistance, SL.

The exhibition is supported by Cordaid Netherlands ; the Royal Netherlands Embassy , London, Prins Claus Fonds and SOAS , the project also wishes to thank Otto Bock®, Afmal-SL, Caritas Makeni-SL.

Face_WSLOT CD- Book (bodylab/auditorium): Is available priced £12 .

The income generated by the sales of the CD-book is directed towards the Tertiary Education Support Initiative for Women in Sierra Leone (TESI-WSL).

The 'Woman See Lot of Things' documentary film will be screened twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12.00 noon.

Further details are available from the bodylab foundation. Contact Bodylab: info@bodylab.org bodylab foundation