I Couldn't Stand By - Private View

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The exhibition showcases new visual stories produced by PositiveNegatives as part of the Youth, Violence and Conflict Transformation project, a six-year research project, that investigated roles of young people in both the escalation of violence and the transformation of conflict across a range of global contexts. While young people are frequently portrayed as a destabilising force in fragile societies, their contributions to peacebuilding are less visible. The research seeks to redress this imbalance by examining the positive and often overlooked impact that young people have on rebuilding communities, supporting civil society and contributing to sustainable peace.

The exhibition at SOAS Gallery presents illustrated narratives drawn from the Colombia and Algeria case studies. The work has been illustrated by PositiveNegatives Senior Artist, Daniel Locke. These stories reveal how young people negotiate pressures to participate in violence while also carving out spaces for dialogue, reconciliation and community rebuilding. Through the distinctive format of comics and graphic storytelling, PositiveNegatives conveys the emotional complexity of these experiences with clarity and sensitivity. The visual form invites viewers to reflect on the everyday choices, risks and aspirations that underpin youth engagement in settings affected by past or ongoing conflict.