September 11-12, 2024

George Mason University - Mason Square

Nature Footprints

Nature Footprints is a collection of art from around the world bringing together community stories of climate, conflict, and peace. The collection amplifies the voices of communities directly affected by climate-related conflict, as well as those participating in environmental peacebuilding efforts. The collection was originally made for COP28 in Dubai in 2023, and was also  shown at the Stockholm Forum for Peace and Development in May and the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding in June. Learn more about the artists here.

The Female Lens: Women and War—Documenting the Lives of Women Deminers Across the World

In regions devastated by conflict, the role of women in helping their communities recover and rebuild after war is often underrepresented and undervalued. Women are leaders, peacebuilders, wage-earners, and caregivers. In this PeaceCon photo exhibition, the stories of the female deminers and explosive ordnance disposal experts working for the non-governmental organization Mines Advisory Group (MAG) are brought to life via the lenses of four outstanding feminist photographers who have spent time this year with demining teams in Iraq, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Ukraine. These images of MAG’s women deminers—at work and at rest—paint a picture of their skill, courage, determination, and humanity as they work to help their communities rebuild after the devastation wrought by conflict. 

Featured Artists: 

  • Julia Kochetova:  Julia is a Ukrainian photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, whose work is focused on the issues of the war generation, post-traumatic stress disorder, and feminism. She is currently in Ukraine, reporting on the war and its devastating effects on communities. She studied journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University and Mohyla School of Journalism, and has covered the Maidan revolution, the annexation of Crimea, and the Russia-Ukraine war since 2014. Her work has been exhibited in the UK, U.S., France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Serbia, Portugal, and all over Ukraine, and her reporting has been featured on Vice News, Der Spiegel, Zeit, Bloomberg, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, FP, Reuters, and NBC..

  • Maryam Ashraf: Maryam, a Paris-based Iranian social documentary photographer, was born in Tehran amidst the Iran-Iraq war. Driven by a profound interest in sociology, she channels her focus into exploring social and socio-political issues. She has covered various demonstrations and social issues in Europe while concentrating on her long-term project documenting the consequences of wars in Northern Syria and the autonomous Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq between 2012 and 2018. Maryam’s work, which captures the lives of fighters behind the frontlines and civilians as they return to newly liberated cities, has been compiled in her book, Rising Among Ruins, Dancing Amid Bullets. 

  • Sane Seven: Sane is a visionary female portrait photographer celebrated for her ability to capture the subtleties and complexities of the female experience. Her work gives a closer look at the amazing women who shape our world, going beyond just beautiful photography to capturing moments that feel personal and real. Sane’s portfolio, rich with intimate portraits of public figures, celebrities, and influential women, shows her unique skill to get to the heart of who someone is, sharing stories of strength, challenge, and the unique experiences of women with both warmth and honesty. Her work serves as a powerful advocate for gender equality, cementing her status as a true force in the field of photography today.

  • Yagazie Emezi: Yagazie is a Nigerian visual artist and self-taught photojournalist focused on stories surrounding African women and their health, sexuality, education, and human rights. Having worked extensively across Africa, Yagazie also covers stories on identity and culture, social justice, climate change, and migration. Her art practice uses photography and sculpture to construct visual critiques of Nigeria's socio-political state and the roles media play in it, pulling from history and current events.