Tabismile

Artists Without Borders


www.artwit.org

Those who love children have innocent minds as children do, they see and understand other people with equal dignity. Hector・Sierra, the representative of Artists Without Borders, an international humanitarian organization to aid war victims through art activities, is one such kind of person, having eyes filled with love and a strong passion in trying to protect the tender minds of children.

After studying Filming Making in the former Soviet Union (Ukraine), Hector entered the Nihon University for a doctoral course. In 1999, he left for Kosovo to film a documentary on ethnic problems.
While in production of the documentary, the conflict there escalated, making him a witness of killing and hatred between neighbors due to their religious and ethnic differences. As he was interviewing both Albanians and Serbians, he was asked which party he was for. He simply answered that he was on a neutral to the conflict. No one believed him. He was detained on suspicion of espionage and had his videotapes taken away. Neutral was not allowed in the war. Hector became aware of the importance of having a non-governmental organization standing in a neutral position. The Experience in this journey changed his life. His mission unexpectedly became helping victims of war rather than his former dream to be a movie director.
ﾒEven though it is impossible to stop wars, we can help the victims of war.ﾓ he says. When he was working as a volunteer to support children, he realized how important it is to have the perspective of a child. He hoped to bring smiles to childrenﾕs faces using art, because art is something that has no borders.
He established Artists Without Borders in Tokyo in the year 1999 during the bombing of Yugoslavia by NATO. He went back to Kosovo and lead workshops of drawing and origami. He sent school and art supplies as well as artists to refugee camps and war zones in Yugoslavia, East Timor, Caucasus, Afghanistan, New York.
"As globalization will only increase in the future, conflicts between peoples of different ethnic groups, with different religions and identities are likely to increase. The work that we do will bring hope to those living in such circumstance. There is more and more to do as long as we have such a future." says Hector.
Hectorﾕs journey continues to bring smiles to people all over the world.

AWB seeks NEW MEMBERS. By attending EVENTS organized by the group, it is possible to support their activities. (see www.artwit.org for more information) We plan to continue updating information about them on our website and future issues of Tabismile.
His book about AWB ﾒKokkyo Naki Aatisto (Artist Without Borders) published by KODOMO NO MIRAI SHA is now on sale. Our words of support are dedicated to Hector Sierra, the artists in cooperation with the team, volunteer staffs, and sponsors of AWB.

Written and photographed by: Jiro Tanaka
Translation: Nana Sugawara, Yuki Satomi, Loic Romanoff, Khafia Mccoy






www.artwit.org