#humanitywashedashore

Certainly, journalism should remain open, free and critical. But so too should our readership of such journalism, which includes being critical of hashtags that while well-meaning, can obscure the very racist nature of Charlie Hebdo's cartoons and the ostensible secularism at stake.

Julian Vigo  - Huff Post

‪#‎BeTheRefuge‬: a ‪#‎SaveSyRianbowart‬ Project!

Aylan Kurdi, the beautiful 3-year-old Syrian boy whose life was taken by the hungry waves of Aegean Sea, touched the hearts of many when photos of his lifeless body lay peacefully at Turkey's shore. It served as an eye-opener for the world regarding the issue of more than 4 million Syrian refugees fleeing their war-stricken country to seek a place to rest their heads without the fear of war knocking at their doorsteps.

As an illustrator, I don't want Aylan to be remembered that way. As an illustrator, I have the power to portray a more fitting happy ending for the cheerful 3-year-old who was robbed of his future without him even realizing it. In my mind, as he tries to desperately reach the surface for air, a mermaid was able to grasp him. Like a scene in a Disney film, Aylan would suddenly be able to breathe underwater as soon as the Mermaid gave him a potion to drink. The mermaid would have held him in her arms and showed him the wonderful treasures of the sea. He would have made friends with a school of fish. He would have rode a hundred year old turtle. A clown fish would have been able to tell him a joke or two. The mermaid would have kept him from any harm, not until he was back in his family's arms. After a long night of adventure, his tired eyes closed and it was time for the mermaid to bring him to the shore where his family would be waiting for him. When he wakes up, it seems as if it was all a dream. And it would have been such a wonderful journey, I'm sure he would have been happy.

This may not be the case for almost half the refugees who lost their lives trying to seek a peaceful shelter. This is why we must act.

This piece is AVAILABLE FOR SALE. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to http://donate.unhcr.org/ar/lifeline-en. I will provide a screenshot for proof. Shipping fee will be shouldered by the buyer.

Postcard prints of this piece will also be made available! Again 95% of the proceeds will go to The UN Refugee Agency (5% will go to production cost and handling fee). These will be made available possibly by next week. Please watch this space for announcements!

Message me on here if you are interested or drop me a note at [email protected]!