From The Founder/Director of SOFA, Mark Lyman:

ARTWORKS BY PROMINENT PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI PAINTERS, SCULPTORS AND PHOTGRAPHERS ON THE THEME OF RECONCILIATION TO BE AUCTIONED NOV. 2, 6:15 PM AT SOFA CHICAGO 2007

I first met Robi Damelin and Ali Abu Awaad in Israel in 2006 when Anne Meszko, Director of Advertising/Educational Programming, and I were on a collectors tour organized by the Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts (AIDA).  Damelin is a stunningly articulate woman who lost her son, David, to a Palestinian sniper in 2002, and who after her tragic loss joined the Parents Circle—Families Forum (PCFF), a grassroots organization of bereaved Israelis and Palestinians dedicated to reconciliation, all of whom have lost immediate loved ones in the violence of the region. Anne and I were also honored to meet Ali Abu Awwad, Damelin’s close friend and leader of the community and educational projects of the Parents Circle in Palestinian communities, an equally compelling advocate, whose brother was killed by an Israeli soldier. The members of the Parents Circle understand better than anyone the horrific cost of hostilities in the Middle East and are dedicated to promoting dialogue and mutual understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Damelin was one of the initiators behind the special exhibit Offering Reconciliation at SOFA CHICAGO, a thought-provoking exhibition of 135 unique works of art created by prominent Palestinian and Israeli painters, sculptors and photographers and poets. Each artist brought to identical blank ceramic vessel forms their own interpretation and narrative of reconciliation as a message of hope and art instead of hatred and violence.

The artworks presented contain many layers of history, religion and culture, presenting mental, emotional and artistic similarities and differences, expressed though the use of color and a sophisticated language of form and symbolism.  The end result is a powerful socio-political statement as well as a significant artistic achievement.

With the help and generosity of former World Bank President and Quartet Envoy to the Middle East, James Wolfensohn, and the Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts (AIDA), these provocative artworks have toured the U.S., at such important venues as the World Bank and the United Nations. SOFA CHICAGO is honored to be the final stop for Offering Reconciliation and as a finale, all 135 artworks in Offering Reconciliation will be auctioned online, with 15 stand-out pieces featured in a live auction at SOFA CHICAGO, Nov. 2.  All proceeds will support Parents Circle—Family Forum programs in Israeli and Palestinian communities.

Please save the date to attend SOFA CHICAGO to view this remarkable special exhibit, Lecture Series presentation featuring Damelin and Awaad, as well as an accompanying award-winning documentary.  I encourage you to pre-bid generously online on all 135 artworks being auctioned, and register now to attend the exclusive live auction of 15 select works at the fair at 6:00pm, Nov. 2. On-site registration and a reception begin at 5:30pm.

Together we may all participate in reconciliation.