Painter Named The Next U.N. Good Will Ambassador

Let's face it. Now a days when you hear that the United Nations is appointing new ambassadors, your mind probably jumps to the names of celebrities like George Clooney and Charlize Theron. But yesterday, the United Nations had surprised us all by appointing a painter as it's newest Good Will Ambassador. As an avid fan of the arts, I was surprised to stumble across this article in the Arts section of the New York Times. Robert Bleckner, an abstract painter, has been recognized by the United Nations for his involvement in projects which strive to battle AIDS and human trafficking. Bleckner's most recent art project which specifically featured the artwork of many children from Uganda, has earned him much praise and recognition.

In the beginning of this year, Bleckner had traveled to Gulu, Uganda, an area which struggles with the terrorist actions imposed by the Lord's Resistance Army. Many children of Gulu are often forced to partake in combat or to become sexual objects. Using paint, paint brushes, and paper which roughly cost 1,000 dollars, Bleckner had worked with a group of these children in hopes to create art which shall be sold at a United Nations Benefit. These paintings are on display at the clothing store "Moschino" in New York City. At this same United Nations benefit, Bleckner shall be appointed as the new Good Will Ambassador.

Simone Monasebian, New York's chief of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime feels that art helps children whom have experienced such a traumatic experience, cope with themselves as individuals and help them alleviate the suffering and pain that they have endured. She states that art is an effective medium due to the fact "it really needs no translation...it's immediately accessible to anyone who sees it." It is sad to say, but human, drug, and arms trafficking is still in existence, thus being roughly worth 32 billion dollars a year.

I found this article to be very impressive and informative. I admire Bleckner for his efforts in teaching these children art skills that they can use to express themselves. Bleckner even hopes that he can "give someone (children) the tools to create something that they can be proud of, and which can help them on the arduous path to restoring their dignity and sense of self-worth." I commend The United Nations in their choice, and hope to hear more news regarding Bleckner's work as a Good Will ambassador. Bleckner plans to return to Uganda in hopes to create a "bigger art project" which shall involve more children.

For a slide show of the children's artwork from Uganda, click it and visit here!

May The Force Be With You,

Lauren