Print-Friendly Version |
| Fauzia creates sparks of happiness in so many people's lives! Joanne Tawfilis |
ARTIST HERO:
FAUZIA MINALLAH
by Joanne Tawfilis
It’s always with an intake of air and a huge amount of anticipation that I open Fauzia’s email. The magic of technology never fails to deliver a special tingling in my heart when her beautiful photos unravel in a matter of seconds on my computer screen. What often appears are faces of the wide eyed children or mourning mothers and women victims of these conflicts that have daunted her for years now. I recall how terribly upset she was years ago when describing how her beloved Pakistan had been constructing monuments in the form of missiles as public art instead of joyful objects of peace and love that children and youth could appreciate and grasp. And somewhere in her photograph mix, I see the saris and the arms and hands holding either a child or an elder close to someone’s heart. I always seem to feel Fauzia’s desperate efforts to touch and reach out to those less fortunate than her — people whose main concern is food, water, shelter. There seems to be little room for smiling and fun for these children. The joy that is present, when she gets involved and breathes art and beauty into their lives, represents a spark of happiness, and then she manages somehow to add food or medicine or a comforting hand seeping warmth and care to each of them.
Fauzia is our bravest Art Miles Angel. She seems defiant in the face of danger and exercises a level of ARTIVISM that no one I know can compare to. She has consistently given so very much of herself through incredible sacrifices that are nothing short of amazing. Her family, somehow intertwined in the mix, works like the veins of the human body, breathing life’s blood through the many alleyways of suffering and humility, like people piling sandbags along a flooded river bank, or the medical equipment screen that shows the constant blip of heartbeats. It is Fauzia that does not allow the sandbags to let the river overcome and drown people. It is Fauzia who keeps the blip on the heart monitor screen moving along, despite the threat of so many invasive systems and interruptions that plague people living amidst these conditions, that seem to so many of us, like a dream or a story so far away that it doesn’t weigh on our daily consciousness. Fauzia is one of the real champions that works in support of the Decade for a Culture of Peace. Together, with all else she does, she continues to utilize the murals as part of a peace, unity and healing method, and to keep us close to her heart. Like us, we do what we have to without fanfare and more often than not, without recognition, publicity or compensation, thriving only on the fact that we “do something”. And that is what binds us together---this commitment to walk the talk, despite the nay sayers and the lack of financial support. We know our reward comes in those little sparks of happiness, and it is those sparks that ignite our engines!
But her efforts are with me always. I know her least concern should be creating MURALS. She herself is a living MURAL. But I think of those really dedicated amongst our team, she truly and passionately understands the power of the murals and that’s why she facilitates their creation wherever she goes. I have watched her over the years pulling children from the streets to paint and when there was no paint, to sew. I have seen her provide food to hungry little sisters and look for art supplies for them to use to give them cheer, only to find their widowed father yank them away to a life of servitude. I have seen her art portray the faces of the trapped children onto the mortar and bricks of walls, sharing their message of isolation and desertion. And yet, from her emotional loving spirit comes her dream of peace for children that she has written, illustrated and published into magical story books. And yet, there seems to be no reprieve for her. Her anguish about injustice shows up in cartoons about corrupted government, and the suffering of the lawyers, and her daring public protests in the face of reprisal by men in uniforms. I have witnessed her encouragement and inspiration to convince youth to stand up, stand out and move forward in search of truth and to take the hearts they wear on their sleeves and move forward with passion to embrace what are their basic human rights.
I am not sure how she does it all and, at the same time, to look at her beauty, she seems ageless/tireless and willing to continue to take on the next battle.
For me, Fauzia is our dearest of Art Miles Angels and I hope and pray that her spirit and energy will not burn out, but remain that ray of light that gives us all HOPE for a better life and future for our children.
|
|
Written by
Joanne Tawfilis
from
The Art Miles Mural Project
Photos courtesy of Fauzia and Funkor Childart Center |
|
Fauzia Minallah and her Funkor Childart Center blog. Art Miles Mural Project Click here to see how you can join this international Mural Project. Hero Mile An ongoing collaboration between the My Hero Project and the Art Miles Mural Project. Click here to learn more. Funkor Child Art Center organizes workshops and events for under-privileged children, Refugee camps and centers for Special Children, to promote peace |
 Produced by Fauzia Minallah This film promotes the education of the girl child in Afghanistan and Pakistan through Mural Art. Small (20 MB) / Large (30 MB) - 4 Minutes |
 |  |  |  |
| Adam Sandler brings comic-relief to people of all ages | Alvin Ailey was a choreographer and founder of the American Dance Theater. | Angela Brooks is an architect who works to create sustainable and affordable housing. | Ansel Adams was an 'artist-activist' whose photographs of nature inspired conservation. |
 |  |  |  |
| Antonin Dvorák was a Czech composer who influenced other artists. | Artemisia Gentileschi was a female post-Renaissance artist who tackled challenging themes. | Audrey Hepburn was an actress, dancer and notable Ambassador for UNICEF | Bajé Whitethorne is a celebrated Navajo painter and author. |
 |  |  |  |
| Beniamino Bufano created distinctive sculptures addressing the theme of peace. | Bill Cosby injects his comedy with wisdom. | Bob Dylan is a singer/songwriter, poet and artist. | Carol Burnett an award-winning actress and comedienne |
 |  |  |  |
| Charles M. Schulz made people laugh every day. | Charlie Chaplin taught us to laugh in the face of adversity. | Charlie Parker was a great musician and father. | Christopher Reeve continued to produce art despite his paralysis. |
 |  |  |  |
| Claude Oscar Monet is a famous impressionist painter. | Damon K. Wayans brought Matt relief from depression through his comedic talent. | Daniel Libeskind is a revered architect whose work inspires peace. | Dexter Gordon was a musician nominated for an Oscar. |
 |  |  |  |
| Diego Rivera was a famed Mexican muralist and revolutionary. | Dorothea Lange captured powerful moments in history with a keen eye for the human condition. | Edmonia Lewis defied restrictions on black women and achieved respect in the art community. | Errol Flynn is legendary Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee's hero and inspired many of Lee's heroes. |
 |  |  |  |
| Fauzia Minallah is the founder of Funkor Childart Centre and an ARTIVIST. | Fernando Botero is a Colombian painter famous for his robust figures. | Frances Anne Hopkins is a famous Canadian artist known for her canoe paintings. | Frank Lloyd Wright was an innovative architect. |
 |  |  |  |
| Frank Owen Gehry has developed his own unique style of design. | Frank Zappa was a musician and composer with a flair for the absurd. | Fred Batley gives young and aspiring actors and actresses a chance to shine. | Frida Kahlo became a famous Mexican artist despite polio and injuries. |
 |  |  |  |
| Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel revolutionized women's fashion and empowered women | Gary Birch is a compassionate educator and role model to his students. | gary larson is the creator of the comic strip, 'The Far Side.' | Harry Houdini was a famous escape artist. |
 |  |  |  |
| Hayao Miyazaki is a talented film and animation creator. | Helen Hayes is considered the 'First Lady of American Theater.' | J.N. (Ding) Darling , conservationist and cartoonist, used his art to raise awareness about the environment. | Jacob Lawrence broke racial barriers as a renowned painter. |
 |  |  |  |
| Jim Henson , Father of the Muppets, was the world's most famous puppeteer. | Johan (Jean) Julius Christian Sibelius was an innovative modern composer. | John Lennon was a singer/songwriter, member of The Beatles and peace activist. | John Tu , founder of Kingston Technology is also a musician and a supporter of the Freedom Writers. |
 |  |  |  |
| Josefina Lopez is a Latina screenwriter who believes in the power of women. | Joséphine Baker , popular African American dancer in France, fought for civil rights and freedom against the Nazis. | Katie Lee is a passionate advocate for wilderness. | Kaziah Hancock paints portraits of fallen soldiers as a memorial keepsake for their families. |
 |  |  |  |
| Ken Theeradej Wongpuapan is a popular Thai actor and UNICEF Youth Ambassador. | Laurel Burch is an artist who has inspired other artists and women in need across the globe | Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, scientist, and inventor. | Leonardo da Vinci was an artist and a scientist ever curious of the world around him. |
 |  |  |  |
| Lou Ferrigno is a successful actor and bodybuilder who overcame a hearing disability. | Louis Sullivan is credited with inventing the skyscraper. | Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of classical music. | M.C. Escher created art that plays with perspective and dimension. |
 |  |  |  |
| Mamadou Tall Diedhiou combines recycled materials to create inspiring works of art. | Margot Fonteyn was a world-renowned dancer. | Maria Tallchief is a Native American ballerina who pioneered many important roles. | Marian Anderson was a world-renowned opera singer. |
 |  |  |  |
| Mary Cassatt filled the world with her beautiful paintings of children, mothers, love and kindness. | Mary Jane Colter designed the rustic buildings at the Grand Canyon National Park. | Maya Lin is an architect and sculptor. | Nam June Paik #1 Video Artist is regarded as the 'father of video art.' |
 |  |  |  |
| Nicolae Grigorescu was one of the founders of modern Romanian painting. | Oswaldo Guayasamin was an Ecuadorian artist whose work reflected his commitment to democracy. | Paloma Herrera is an accomplished ballerina. | Patrick Nagatani uses photography and colored lights to promote good health. |
 |  |  |  |
| Paul Robeson was a performer who was deeply committed to political causes. | Pedro Almodovar is considered one of the most influential Spanish filmmakers. | Peter Jackson is a filmmaker who directed the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. | Piet Kroon is a talented Dutch filmmaker and devoted dad. |
 |  |  |  |
| R. Buckminster Fuller designed the geodesic dome. | Rembrandt van Rijn captures the suffering, reflection and compassion of humanity in his art. | Robert Redford established the Sundance Film Festival to effect change in the world. | Robert Wise was a filmmaker, teacher and mentor. |
 |  |  |  |
| Roberto Arevalo of The Mirror Project teaches kids TV production. | Scott Joplin composed operatic and ragtime music. | September McGee is an artist and a teacher. | Stephen Joseph uses art to protect the land. |
 |  |  |  |
| Stephen Sondheim composed popular Broadway musicals. | Steveland Morris (a.k.a. Stevie Wonder) is an incredible pianist and singer. | Tadao Ando is a world-famous Japanese architect. | Taron Lexton applies his filmmaking talents to advocate for human rights. |
 |  |  |  |
| Tomihiro Hoshino creates captivating art despite paralysis. | Vincent Van Gogh remains one of the world's most renowned artists. | Vojko Gasperut creates beautiful paintings despite his paralysis. | Walt Disney was both a visionary artist and an entrepreneur. |
 |  |  |  |
| Wang Yani has been painting since she was three years old. | Will Smith is a musician and actor whose roles are often heroic and funny. | Wilson Bentley was the first person to photograph a single snowflake. | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
 |  | ||
| Youssef Chahine is a highly respected and accomplished Egyptian film director. | Zaha Hadid is the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. |
Last changed on:8/6/2009 2:04:20 PM
|
