Malaika Najem

Forgotten

Italy / Lebanon, 2010

Necklace

Materials:

Shibuichi, silver, gold

Techniques:

Drilling and puking

Dimension in cm:

12 x 7.5

Artist Statement:

This piece is about child soldiers and is

called “Forgotten”. A subject that sadly still

exists in 3rd world countries that are in war

whether in Africa, the Middle East or Asia.

The average child soldier is under the age of

18 and is forced and manipulated in doing

and committing horrors that they are not

aware off due to the use of drugs or

brainwashing.

The child is just an instrument, just a

number; just a slave to the gun…the gun is

the symbol of power.

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

I have been working on the subject of child

soldiers for many years in my painting and

know in my jewelry. Because this is a

subject that is really close to my hearth.

Do you have a personal (or other)

connection to the exhibition’s theme?

Yes I am half Lebanese half French but

grew up in West Africa. This making me

open my eyes living with corruption and

hearing about horrors that happen to

children. Not in particularly my country but

the ones around or in other parts of the

world.

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

This piece is made of shibuichi because of

the unpredictable color. The outline is of a

child soldier made with the process of

drilling holes. The outline is a strong

image; and the holes are letting the light in,

to show that there is still a chance to save

them a chance to help this cause and let

them forget there horrible past and move on

into the light… to a brighter future. In parts

of the gun that the child is holding there are

some small gold balls. These little balls

show how the gun is more important that

the human child itself.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers

will get from your work?

I am playing with the outlines of the image

and making the viewers search for what it

is and realizes that the holes let light

through and shows clearly what the image

is about. In this case the viewer is forced to

imagine who the face or how old this child

is. Giving the viewers space to have a free

imagination.

If you could give your Jewelry to an

important figure in the Middle East who

will he/she be? and why?

Any figure in the middle east or in any part

of the world. All.

Personal information:

artist links:

facebook, Malaika Najem

Inspiring artists:

Shirin Neshat

Top 3 materials:

Silver, Iron, and Shibuichi

If I wasn’t an artist what profession would I

choose?

Cook

My dream is

that one day there would be  no more war,

no more religious, cultural differences

because at the end of the day we are all the

same and we all have one God to believe in.

I wish also that children are not taken as

war victims and soldiers to fight. They are

Children and we must not forget that. They

need to live a normal life and not kill people

because they are forced or corrupted in

doing it.