WHEN THE DUST OF CONFLICT SETTLES

2023

When the Dust of Conflict Settles examines the repercussions of conflict on cultural heritage, the communities that are left behind, and how we might approach the challenges of rebuilding what has been destroyed. The artwork draws inspiration specifically from the historical craft of stone masonry within the Syrian context, whereby Awartani has studied and archived the various examples of decorative stone carvings found on monuments across Syria that vary from churches, mosques, citadels, and temples, that have faced cultural destruction during the Arab spring. Relying on her training in traditional geometry, Awartani mathematically analyses the various motifs true to their original form using a compass and straight edge as a blueprint ready to be translated back into stone carvings.

For this project Awartani has collaborated with a group of Syrian apprentice stonemasons that had to leave their home cities as a result of the war and are currently residing in Mafraq, Jordan, as well a group of craftsmen from the wider Middle Eastern and South Asian diaspora who are currently living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Syrian group of masons are alumni of a conservation stonemasonry training programme set up by the World Monument Fund, which aims to provide trainees that have both come from Syria and the wider local community in Jordan with stonemasonry skills that could be used to restore and repair historic monuments affected by war, as well as strive to provide the students current employment opportunities in Jordan.

The lack of skilled craftsmen remaining in Syria, as well as other worn torn areas, has severely hampered the future of conservation efforts. This depletion of professional craftspeople is a result of them being forced to flee and a lack of a network to support and train them when they leave. The transmutable skills of stonemasonry amongst other traditional crafts is not only the key to preserving and restoring historical monuments that have been destroyed, but more importantly can aid in supporting the people from these communities in the long run by equipping them with the knowledge and expertise to contribute to the restoration efforts should they choose too.

The artist intends through this artwork to bring awareness to the importance of the continuation of traditional knowledge in reconstructing the future, how craft enables the process of healing and contributes towards the efforts of rebuilding what has been erased. Awartani believes it is important to economically incentivise the preservation of traditional craft and support the livelihoods of the master craftsmen who uphold this knowledge, for us to retain a part of our collective history and have it play a crucial role in the present.