Survivors of ISIS captivity was the focus of an art exhibition attended by Trudy Harrison this week.
On Monday, Mrs Harrison met with British artist Hannah Rose Thomas who last year travelled to Iraq to run a project for Yezidi women who had escaped ISIS captivity.
Ms Thomas’ project enabled Yezidi women to share their stories through painting their self-portraits.
The exhibition, which ran from March 26 – 29 displayed these self-portraits alongside Hannah's own gold leaf portraits which aim to convey the dignity and resilience of Yezidi women.
Mrs Harrison, said: “Thinking of my own girls, comparing their lives to the lives of Yezidi women: ISIS survivors brings immense sadness. I was pleased to meet Hannah Rose Thomas who travelled to Kurdistan, Northern Iraq to use art as a powerful tool for advocacy, and part of the recovery process post-torture and sexual violence.
“Hannah’s paintings convey their dignity, resilience and unspeakable grief and her inner strength to help these young girls and immense talent as an artist to tell the world their story is completely remarkable.”
The exhibit advocates on behalf of the Yezidi community and others who have experienced similar abuses, urging the UK government to act by supporting and empowering minorities in the Middle East to rebuild their lives.
In particular, the exhibition presses the government to respond to the double-vulnerability faced by women in these communities who are targeted because of their minority faith and their gender.
Sponsored by Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, the exhibition is in collaboration with charity, Open Doors.
The charity is currently running the Hope for the Middle East campaign in partnership with Middle East Concern. This campaign asks that religious minorities in Iraq and Syria are afforded equal rights, dignified living conditions and a central role in rebuilding and reconciling society
Ms Thomas’ work often surrounds the portraits of people she has encountered on her travels; from African women in remote villages in Mozambique to Syrian refugees in Jordanian refugee camps.
Ms Thomas, said: “Art can be used as a powerful tool for advocacy and to give a voice to the voiceless. Teaching the Yezidi women to paint their self-portraits has enabled those, who have never been to school or learned to read and write, to share their stories with the rest of the world.
“Testimony is an important element of the recovery process post-torture and sexual violence. These paintings are a testament to the strength, dignity and unimaginable grief of the Yezidi women, many of whom still have children in ISIS captivity.”