HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba - Şîlan Ico is one of the tens of thousands of people, who have been forcibly displaced from Afrin. She lives in the Ehdas town of Shahba with her family. She is now 12 years old and she began to paint when she was only eight years old. The paintings of Şîlan Ico, also a member of the Afrin Region Painting Community, have been displayed at many exhibitions and festivals until now.

‘I has been inspired by my mother’

Speaking about how she began her journey in painting, she said, “I have been painting since I was eight. I have been inspired by my mother because my mother is a painter. After being forcibly displaced from Afrin to Shahba, we formed a painting community and I am a member of this community now.”

‘We try to reflect the sufferings of the people of Afrin’

After attending painting courses, Şîlan Ico began to paint on many issues. “I am the youngest painter of our community. My paintings have been displayed at many exhibitions held in Shahba until now. We try to reflect the sufferings and resistance of the people of Afrin in our paintings. In my paintings, I try to reflect the sufferings and dreams of the children, who are deprived of their right to education.”

Her paintings raise awareness

Mentioning the theme of her paintings, Şîlan Ico said, “I mostly draw the rights of oppressed people in my paintings. I also portray women in my paintings to raise awareness about women’s rights. Until now, I have participated in four exhibitions. I also participated in the Martyr Berçem Festival held in Aleppo. In my paintings, I try to be the voice of the people of Afrin and make their voices heard all around the world.”

Despite all the difficulties, she continues her education life

Şîlan Ico keeps painting despite all the difficulties. “We are displaced people living in Shahba under siege. The difficulties faced by us cannot prevent us from following and realizing our dreams. We keep resisting despite all the difficulties.”