The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on its people, and artist Galal Yousif’s painting captures the heavy toll it has taken on the nation and its citizens. Yousif, who managed to escape Sudan and find temporary refuge in Kenya, uses his art to shed light on the numerous individuals who have been affected by the war. His painting, “Man With a Heavy Heart,” depicts a man with a hand over his heart, surrounded by circular red dots symbolizing gunshot wounds. The moon shining behind his head and the backpack on the ground represent the loss experienced by the Sudanese people in this eight-month conflict.
Yousif’s personal experience serves as the inspiration for his artwork, and he aims to create a collective visual narrative that raises awareness about the suffering of the Sudanese people. The conflict in Sudan began in April when two generals within the ruling junta clashed, leading to violence between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This fighting has resulted in approximately seven million people being displaced from their homes, according to the UN.
Yousif first heard rumblings of war while working late in his studio near the presidential palace in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. He noticed troops massing nearby and decided to return to his family’s home just before dawn. As chaos ensued, Yousif struggled to care for his elderly relatives amidst a lack of basic necessities like water, electricity, and food. Every night, he heard the sounds of planes and gunfire and witnessed smoke descending over the city.
Realizing that the situation was deteriorating rapidly, Yousif made the decision to leave Sudan, hoping it would be a temporary move. He managed to secure bus tickets for his family and traveled to their ancestral home in Rufa’ah. However, realizing that his relatives were too frail to continue the journey, Yousif decided to head to Nairobi, Kenya, where he could find better support for himself and his family.
In Nairobi, Yousif discovered a community of fellow Sudanese artists who had also fled the conflict in Khartoum. Many prominent artists, like Bakri Moaz, Yasir Algari, and Hani Khalil Jawdat, are now residing in the Kenyan capital. However, life remains difficult for these artists due to issues surrounding asylum, lack of documentation, and limited incomes. Many arrived with very little money and have been deeply traumatized by their experiences.
Artist Tibian Bahari also shares the emotional toll of not being able to return to Sudan and losing contact with her father and sister who still live there. Through her work, Bahari aims to preserve the sacred and magical land of Sudan and showcase its topography. She feels a profound responsibility to share her journey truthfully and provide a space for Sudan’s women artists.
These artists were part of the civilian protest movement that led to the overthrow of Sudan’s longtime leader, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019. However, their dreams of a better future were shattered when the conflict escalated and power was seized by the military. They feel forgotten by the world in the midst of the ongoing conflict.
Recent events indicate that the fighting has intensified, with Yousif’s family in Rufa’ah coming under attack from the RSF. Forced to leave their home, they sought shelter at his grandmother’s house in the city center, living in fear and unable to move freely.
Yousif’s painting serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing suffering in Sudan and urges the world not to forget the plight of its people. Through his art, Yousif hopes to create empathy and understanding, while also offering a voice to those who have been silenced by the conflict. The international community must take notice of the situation in Sudan and offer support to those affected by the war.
