Art & Human Dignity

Supporting Organisation(s):
World Health Organisation and UNESCO
Chair/Other Speakers:
Dr. Tony Jenkins (Georgetown University, USA), Dr. Guila Clara Kessous(UNESCO Artist for Peace) and Tarrie Burnett (Tomorrow’s Women, Israel)

In April 2023, artist David Cotterrell participated in the international forum Art & Human Dignity, co-convened by UNESCO and the World Health Organisation.

As part of the Art and Peace Education panel, he joined experts  Dr Tony Jenkins and Tarrie Burnett to discuss how creative practice can foster human rights and healing in conflict zones. The virtual event highlighted Cotterrell’s unique perspective as an artist working with the UK Department of Defence, focusing on the role of empathy and art in building a culture of peace.

 

The World Art Day Forum 2023 provided a platform to explore how creative practice fosters social cohesion and healing. Unlike traditional academic presentations, the event brought together diverse sectors such as neuroscience, humanitarianism, and the fine arts to examine the arts’ role in sustainable global development.

During the Peacebuilding through Art roundtable, David Cotterrell shared his extensive field research at sites of tension such as Afghanistan and Palestine. He argued that artists offer a legitimate experience distinct from journalists or historians, taking personal ownership of their voices rather than claiming objective authority. Cotterrell examined staged challenges that precede military escalation and questioned how visual representation can either bridge or widen divides in polarised landscapes. He discussed the discomfort of creating beautiful images that depict horrific realities in others’ lives, advocating for a nuanced and responsible practice that remains sensitive to those depicted.