Media Artist of the Week

Awer G. Bul is a media artist and one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

He uses his paintings, photographs, and film in his work to communicate his stories to the world. He was denied schooling and used Art as a means to speak in a universal language. His mission is to help the many children that are suffering in Sudan, Africa. Each night, thousands of young girls and boys go to sleep without without clean water, food, parents, or any foreseeable future.

The Lost Boys of Sudan are the groups of over 20,000 boys of Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups who were either displaced and orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) who resided in Africa. About 2.5 million were killed or nowhere to be found. 

"Through my Art I have been able to deal with the traumas from atrocities of the war, separation from my family, the loss of my home and homeland, and the poor conditions of the refugee camp life. When I do art I feel like I have let out all the things that are in me. Art is a way for me to respond and to give." 

-Awer G. Bul

Photograph by Awer G. Bul

You can see his work here, including his piece titled Living in Exile.

"This video deals with transformation, not only in the mind and body but also in location and spirit. The many days I spent in Africa were the worst days of my life, and at the same time they were so meaningful. My new homeland is much different from Sudan and I feel as though my soul has been set free. When I walk around downtown Richmond, I am in awe of the possibilities and also I am reminded of Africa."

 

Awer shares his testimony.

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We're always talking about "Art being a universal language" and teach students about this concept. Awer Bul's life is a living example of the power this statement has. I believe it's important to step out of our "boxes' and really take a look at what's going on around us. As an educator, I know one of my priorities will be to be consciously aware of activity outside of ourselves. I believe I am guilty of being encompassed by my own life, saturating every moment with a task to move forward. As I begin to develop my teaching philosophy, these are the thoughts I ponder on articulating. 

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