“African art is functional, it serves a purpose. It’s not a dormant. It’s not a means to collect the largest cheering section. It should be healing, a source of joy. Spreading positive vibrations.”

— Mos Def

The GSN collection, consisting of more than 1500 watercolor paintings from Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia, symbolizes a source of hope and restoration for the people of East Africa and the Horn region.

Here is a selection of the artwork from the region.

091+PTSD.jpg
196_Coverpage IRTBV-Yared.jpg
004 Memorizlizing.jpg
picture 6.jpg
slavers .jpg
Mama Anisa 2.jpg
picture 55.jpeg
7_Victimization - humans hurting each other 2_Kevin - Old.jpg
003 Development trauma 1.jpg
unrolling the present.jpg
4. Two little boys.jpg
161_Remember a positive past -- Story-Tadesse-3.jpg
westling match.jpg
22_Negative Impacts of trauma - Emotional_Ndege.jpg
128_Depression - def-Yared.jpg
011 Security 4.jpg
120_Self-harm def -Kibrom.jpg
corruption.jpg
020 Seeing Violence as redemtive.jpg
Picture 14.jpg
self harm.jpg
156_Recognition of multiple truths -- def-meron.jpg
3_Dialogue - Circle group_Oniba (small).jpg
198_+Aguer%27s+Story+-+Spheres+of+Influence+-+Creative+Expression_Aguer.jpg
160_Ending Extrajudicial Killings Definition_Radoli.jpg
124_Questioning why meus def -Kibrom.jpg

Explore the Collection and Meet the Artists

  • "Culture is the bedrock of any society, and it is the anchor that gives people a sense of identity."

    Wole Soyinka

  • "Healing begins where the wound was made."

    Alice Walker

  • "Healing is not a science, it is an art. It is something that comes from the heart and is shared with love and compassion."

    Immaculée Ilibagiza

  • "Culture is the name for what people are interested in, their thoughts, their models of behavior, their customs, their practices."

    Chinua Acheb

  • "Art is the pulse of a nation; it reflects its history, its struggles, and its aspirations."

    Kofi Annan