I purchased these paintings from Semachw Messfn in Ethiopia in 2004. Sumachaw was ten years old. He is a Coptic Christian. This is an ancient branch of Christianity. These paintings are made within an ancient tradition of Coptic religious art. There are religions that embrace religious paintings. Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism are examples. The Jewish and Muslim religions do not favor religious paintings. If you would like to purchase a print of one of these paintings, then please visit our Stone Soup Store. St. Rogawe, by Semachw Messfn, age 10, Ethiopia Nativity Scene, by Semachw Messfn, age 10, Ethiopia Angels, Apostles, Sun and King, by Semachw Messfn, age 10, Ethiopia Three Holy Men, by Semachw Messfn, age 10, Ethiopia
Art - Refugee
Children’s Art: Japanese Woodblocks Ages 12 to 15
This extraordinary selection of woodcuts is from a single school in Japan. We are not certain when they were made. We have had them for more than thirty years. Our guess is they date from the 1970s. Each print is a powerful work of art, and taken together they represent a staggering display of masterful woodcuts by students ages 12 to 15. The self-portraits are strikingly focused. They clearly capture the essence of the artist. We are fond of so many of these it is difficult to call out just one or two. An Old Man Moving Stones in His Garden and A Woman Roasting Tea Leaves offer a look at ancient Japanese traditions, though in fact this set of woodcuts itself represents the continuation of ancient tradition. You can purchase prints of these images. We recommend using prints as art on the wall, classroom instructional aids, and inspiration for art projects. Self-portrait, Masuku Ando, age 15. Woodcut. My Friend With a Serious Face, Shisko Watanabe, age 14. Woodcut. My Friend Who is Thinking, Yasayuki Kahara, age 15. Woodcut. The Friend I Trust, Fumie Hirosue, age 13. Woodcut. Self-portrait–The Thinker, Eiko Akagi, age 13. Woodcut. Self-Portrait–When I Have Problems, Toyohisa Sawa, 14. Woodcut. A Man Carrying Rocks in the Garden, Setsuko Gondo, age 13 A Woman Roasting Tea Leaves, Kioka Iwata, age 14. Woodcut. My Friends on the Bus, Kazutoshi Yokohama, age 15. Woodcut.
Struggle for Independence
Struggle for Independence (Felt pen) by Emil Koita, 12, Rundu, Namibia Originally published in Stone Soup Magazine, September/October 1994 Special thanks to Sheila Crane, who taught in Emil’s school in Rundu, for sending us his work.
