'Visual Voices' poster exhibition expresses yearning for peace

Hands work on a poster showing a watermelon motif signifying Palestinian solidarity, during a poster-making workshop held at Loft Ground in central Seoul, Jan. 14. The poster was co-created by Hong Ga-ye and Kim Jun-hwi of Korea and Marwa Abdelhaleem from Canada. Courtesy of Lee Jae-jung

A collection of posters delivering various perspectives on human rights crises happening around the world, especially the Gaza Strip, began a months-long "roving exhibition" this week at Loft Ground in downtown Seoul.

Opening on Monday, the "Visual Voices: Voicing Peace with Posters" exhibition presents the works of over 20 contributors, including political refugees from Cambodia, Ethiopia and Palestine living in Korea. The posters had been created during a workshop at Loft Ground on Jan. 14, organized by Hanokers, an organization empowering refugees, and ReadyGo, a project team bridging arts and communities.

The posters were made with diverse methods, both handcrafted and through digital methods. They range in subject matter from deadly serious to satirical and artsy. One series of posters shows photos of parents who have lost their children in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Another image shows red and green shapes arranged in a way that resembles a watermelon, which has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, in response to a ban on the waving of the Palestinian flag, which has similar colors.

"This exhibition aims to convey voices and messages that cannot be contained in words through poster-art, by tapping into the visual impact, social impact and accessibility of posters as an artistic medium capable of being displayed in public spaces," Hanokers co-representative Yu Yuri said in a written statement.

"Through understanding, solidarity and communication with those living in our contemporary world, our emotions evolve. Just as people from different sides can meet and share throug bridges, the posters of 'Visual Voices' will serve as bridges, leading to realms of empathy."

Saleh Elrantisi, a Palestinian who has been seeking asylum in Korea since 2022, poses with a poster displaying various images of his face designed by Jeju Island-based photographer Lee Jae-jung, during a poster-making workshop held in downtown Seoul, Jan. 14. Courtesy of Lee Jae-jung

Postcard-size versions of the posters will be offered for sale, and proceeds will be delivered to the Palestinian community and refugees in Korea.

The exhibition will stay at Loft Ground until Sunday, before moving to Eulji Space from Feb. 5 to 16. It will then appear at Booksdot5 in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, from Feb. 27 to March 4, Geumchon Rainbow Library from March 5 to 10, Art Space Edge on Jeju Island from March 24 to 30 and Hobakbook in northeastern Seoul from April 5 to 21. Organizers added that more venues have been expressing interest, and the roving exhibition may continue extending its tour.

Visit hanokers.org or instagram.com/loft_ground22 for more information.