Tay and Uniqlo sustainability and legal director Evelyn Tan (left) holding one of the winning designs. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
AMONG 4,000 artworks submitted by refugees globally, five stood out and earned their place in a charity T-shirt collection.
Winning designs from the 2023 Youth with Refugees Art Contest showcased the creativity and resilience of young artists from around the globe, each offering a unique perspective on the theme “Hope Away from Home”.
This collaboration between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and apparel retailer Uniqlo aimed to support refugees through art and fashion.
One of the featured designs, titled “Friend Code”, was created by 14-year-old Asifiwe, who resettled in the United States (US) from a refugee camp in Burundi.
Her artwork portrayed a group of friends with their arms around each other, symbolising unity and resilience.
Asifiwe said the drawing represented her friend group from Burundi and their friend code that said ‘My friend squad comes first, and nobody can break us apart’.
“We may be separate, but I am sure we’re together in heart and that our memories will continue to live on,” she added.
Another winning design, “A Little Love from Home”, was crafted by 14-year-old Afya, currently residing in the US.
Her artwork featured a paper plane symbolising love from afar, sending a message of hope and optimism to all refugees even when home feels distant.
Winning designs from the 2023 Youth with Refugees Art Contest on display and for sale at Uniqlo.
The collection also included “Wings of Hope” by 28-year-old Virag, who depicted a girl reaching out for a dove with a heart, symbolising the pursuit of hope and dreams regardless of one’s location.
Georgette, a 14-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo living in a Tanzanian refugee camp, contributed a vibrant piece titled “One Moon”, showcasing herself with a message of unity under the sky and one moon.
She said, “Despite our differences, we are all under the sky and share one moon, it doesn’t matter where you are, there is only one moon, and you are protected by the sky.”
Lastly, 20-year-old Mawardi, who fled to Somalia from Ethiopia, created “Birds from Home”, featuring birds from her homeland.
Mawardi hoped to see these birds again in the future, wherever her journey may lead.
Established by UNHCR in 2020, the Youth with Refugees Art Contest provided a platform for young people aged 10 to 30 worldwide to showcase their talent and creativity while expressing solidarity with refugees through art.
This initiative also raised awareness about the challenges faced by refugees globally.
UNHCR assistant livelihoods and economic inclusion officer Tay Su Yuen said there were more than 187,000 refugees in Malaysia, who struggled to meet their basic needs due to legal restrictions on employment and limited access to education.
Through collaborations such as the one with Uniqlo, UNHCR aimed to provide vital support to refugees, helping them rebuild their lives and find hope for the future.
For each T-shirt from the collection purchased, Uniqlo would contribute RM14.40 to UNHCR’s efforts in assisting refugees worldwide.
The T-shirt collection is available at Uniqlo stores located at Damansara Avenue, Farenheit88, The Exchange TRX, Sunway Pyramid and Queensbay Mall Penang.
