Reverberations of Conflict: Syrian Voices in London
This collaboration, between King’s academics from the The Institute of Middle Eastern Studies and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, and interdisciplinary artist Kai-Oi Joyce Yung, explored the lived experiences and personal narratives of the ongoing Syrian civil war from the overlooked but invaluable perspective of Syrians living here in the UK.
Offering a tangible and empathetic point of access to the atrocities, bloodshed and ongoing destruction in Syria, the project focused on individual experiences captured through a perceptive and sensitive programme of contemporary practice and dialogue.
Through a roundtable exchange on 27 April and a visual art workshop on 13 May 2015, Reverberations of conflict discussed the nature of the uprising and the difficulty of peace in the area, connecting the wider public to those affected by a civil war that has torn Syrian society apart.
The project arose from the Belief and conflict in the UK series of salons that took place October - November 2014 and January 2015. The three evenings drew together artists, academics, activists and commentators to consider the role of art in exploring the relationship between belief and conflict in the UK.
The Belief and Conflict in the UK was a collaboration between King’s College London and 3FF (Three Faiths Forum). It was supported by the university's Culture team.
Project team
Professor Michael Kerr, Institute of Middle Eastern Studies
Michael Kerr is a Professor of Conflict Studies at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies and Director of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies and the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies. Recent publications include The Alawis of Syria: War, Faith and Politics in the Levant.
Dr Aaron Rosen, Department of Theology & Religious Studies
Aaron Rosen is a Lecturer in Sacred Traditions & the Arts as well as in Liberal Arts in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies. Aaron's work frequently explores culture and religion or issues surrounding religious conflicts, including during his time as a research fellow at the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University.
Kai-Oi Joyce Yung, Artist
Kai-Oi Joyce Yung is an interdisciplinary artist. Her interests include conflict and she has exhibitied work on this topic at the Whitechapel Gallery, the British Council, South London Gallery, Tate, Istanbul Biennial, and Hong Kong University.