Art therapy techniques are well-established, and there are many resources to build upon. In childhood education, art is generally an uncontrolled vector, free from many traditional and idealogical constraints. That freedom means it is an ideal way vector for teaching the kinds of psychological survival skills that trauma victims need to gain control over their lives. The “Inside” is seen in the artwork created in art therapy-inspired classes. The “Outside” is shown with dignified, formal photographic portraits.
Ghaidaa, age 16, from Idlib, a Syrian refugee boy at a the Free Syria school.
Two helicopters drop barrel bombs on the people. As in the reality of these attacks, there are body parts on the ground. The children are crying. The father has lost his hands. Drawing by Syrian girl, age 13. Topic for this session: Dealing with loss.
Abdullah, age 18, from Hama, is a Syrian refugee student at a the Free Syria school.
Sham, age 16, from Homs, a Syrian refugee girl from the Free Syria school, during an art class at a local tea garden.
The girl who drew this witnessed the scene. There is a burning hospital in the upper-right. A mother is crying for her son in the lower left. The child in the bottom center was eating a candy bar when a bomb blew his head off. He remained standing for a few moments with the candy bar in his hand. Drawing by Syrian girl, age 13. Topic for this session: Dealing with loss.
Syrian refugee girl (name withheld) from the Free Syria school, during an art class at a local tea garden.
Syrian refugee girl (name withheld) at a the Friendship Syrian school.
Drawn by a Syrian refugee girl in a tea garden in Reyhanli. A family in the snow. Topic for session: Draw the future you hope for.
Ghaidaa’, age 15, from Aleppo, a syrian refugee girl from the Free Syria school, during an art class at a local tea garden.
A visitor to the exhibition of the Inside-Outside Project.
Syrian refugee girl in a school in Beirut supported by the Jesuit Refugee Service.
Ritaj, age 10, from Aleppo, is a Syrian refugee child at a the Friendship Syrian school.
Safiya, age 15, from Idlib, is a Syrian refugee student at a the Free Syria school.
During the war: A plane drops bombs on our house. Drawing by Syrian boy, age 10. Topic for session: Draw your impression of life before, during and after the war.
Artist: Boy, age 11 Title: “The Scary Monster” Topic for this session: Scary bad things in two colors. He said, black is for scariness, and red is for blood. The art therapist asked, is this a painting of a monster? The boy said, yes. The art therapist said, let’s talk with this monster. What you want to say to him? The boy said, I am not afraid of you. The art therapist said, what did the monster say to you?The boy said, the monster says, no, you are afraid of me. Answer him, The art therapist said. The boy said a loud, laughing voice, I am not afraid of you! The Syrian teacher said, when you’re laughing he won’t take you seriously. Say what you mean. So the boy said, using an Arabic expression, I will curse your father if you hurt me!
Syrian refugee child at a the Friendship Syrian school.
Ghada, age 13, from Aleppo, at a intensive language center in Jbeil, Lebanon, supported by the Jesuit Refugee Service.
Syrian refugee girl at n intensive language center in Jbeil, Lebanon, supported by the Jesuit Refugee Service.
A mother comes into her house to find her son dead in the bed, riddled with bullets. The other child is crying. “Razan” is the artist’s name (at the top). Bleeding objects are very common in the children’s drawings. Drawing by Syrian girl (Razan), age 13. Topic for this session: Dealing with loss.
Ameer, age 15, from Idlib, is a Syrian refugee student at a the Free Syria school.
Joud, age 12, from Aleppo, is a Syrian refugee child at a the Torches of Freedom Syrian school.
