Peacebuilding through the Visual Arts

Peacebuilding through the Visual Arts

By Gresham College

Overview

Lecture explores how visual arts can incite or transform violence, bear witness, heal trauma, and imagine peace across conflicts.

How can the visual arts be used to promote peace? Professor Mitchell investigates how the visual arts can not only incite violence, but also bear witness, reveal dangerous memories, transform violence, contribute to healing trauma and imagine more hopeful futures. Examples are taken from both current conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine) and past wars (Paul Nash and Otto Dix in the First World War, local artists in the Iran-Iraq War and the 1984 Rwandan genocide). Professor Mitchell analyses the ambivalent role of the visual arts in building peace.

A lecture by Professor Jolyon Mitchell

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: Peacebuilding through the Visual Arts | Gresham College

Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: Donate Today | Gresham College

Category: Community, Historic

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Highlights

  • In person

Location

Gresham College

Barnard's Inn Hall

Holborn London EC1N 2HH United Kingdom

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Gresham College

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On Sale Jan 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM