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Art show showcases work inspired by London vehicle attack aftermath, honours family – Global News

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In the aftermath of the London vehicle attack, a mural painted by the youngest fatality became a beacon of hope and a source of comfort for a community trying to heal.

To mark the anniversary of London deadliest mass murder, the London Muslim Mosque is hosting an art exhibit honouring 15-year-old Yumna Afzaal and featuring artwork by community members of all ages reacting to the aftermath of the attack.

The centrepiece of the art exhibit is a mural painted on the basement wall of the Mosque by Yumna when she was a student at the London Islamic School in 2020.

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On June 6, 2021, the Afzaal family was out for a walk when they were intentionally struck by a man in a pickup truck on the corner of Hyde Park and South Carriage roads.

Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal and Salman’s 74-year-old mother Talat Afzaal were killed. The couple’s nine-year-old son sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and survived the attack.

“We thought what better way to kind of mark last year than to mark it in a way that really tells the story of the community making sense of the events that happened last year in an artistic fashion,” said Nusaiba Al-Azem, vice-chair of London Muslim Mosque.

“It is a community story of grief and understanding these tragic events.”

Al-Azem, who organized the art show, also hopes when people look at the art, they remember how the community rallied together following the attack.

For Hanni Shahatto, who taught Yumna for two years and first approached her to create the mural, there is no shortage of praise for the 15-year-old.

“Whether academics or social or artistically, for me, she was one of one,” he said.

Shahatto remembers Yumna’s dedication to figuring out how to create the mural and coming in with her family during the pandemic and the summer to finish it.


Pieces of the mural painted on the basement wall of the London Muslim Mosque by Yumna Afzaal. June 6, 2022.


Sawyer Bogdan / Global News


Pieces of the mural painted on the basement wall of the London Muslim Mosque by Yumna Afzaal. June 6, 2022.


Sawyer Bogdan / Global News

“I think for me, it brings me so much peace. No one could have seen what happened coming, so to have an enduring legacy is like a mercy,” he said.

Shahatto says the mural is a testament to Yumna and her loving and supportive family, who encouraged her throughout the whole process.

“For me, it’s not just a memory of her and her talent; I spent weekends with her family here. I know exactly what her mom was doing, what her dad was doing, and what her brother was doing in that space,” he said.

“They were all supporting Yumna as a unit. They were always with her.”

Read more:

‘Reclaiming, healing and remembering’: London, Ont. community honours Afzaal family

The mosque received many submissions through a contest they ran for children and adults and as gifts from local artists.

One of the pieces, created by local artist Jan Neville, is a mosaic of a tree made from scraps of letters and flowers left at the site of the crash and outside the mosque.


Jan Neville, is a mosaic of a tree made from scraps of letters and flowers left at the site of the crash and outside the mosque. June 6, 2022.


Sawyer Bogdan / Global News


A sculpture by a student at Oakridge Secondary School is a tree made out of folded artwork and letters. June 6, 2022.


Sawyer Bogdan / Global News

A sculpture by a student at Oakridge Secondary School, where Yumna attended Grade 9, is a tree made out of folded artwork and letters. After being displayed at the mosque, the sculpture will be gifted to the Afzaal family.

“The intent was to give students a voice as we were online, because Yumna was in my Grade 9 class and some of her closest friends were, too. It felt like the right thing to do,” said Katie Thibert, a visual arts teacher at Oakridge secondary school.

Thibert was Yumna’s art teacher and said she and students were given special permission to be able to come into the school at a time when COVID shut it down to create the tree.

The tree created by students and all other creations will be displayed at the mosque for the next month.

The galley is open to the public every day during June from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the mosque located just off of Oxford Street.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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