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'How Can We Prevent Future Wars?' A Case for Strategic Partnerships and Funding in Art, Co-Design, Pedagogy & Sustainable Development

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'How Can We Prevent Future Wars?' A Case for Strategic Partnerships and Funding in Art, Co-Design, Pedagogy & Sustainable Development Introduction How can socially engaged art, co-design practices, and applied non-curricular pedagogy offer a unique approach to institutional critique that drives sustainable development through direct social impact?  Recently, working with the charity, Never Such Innocence (NSI), on their annual exhibition, this year titled 'How Can We Prevent Future Wars?', allowed me to consider a few answers to this question. But, first, an introduction:  Never Such Innocence provides tools for children and young people (9-18) to reflect on the realities of war and conflict. We are nurturing the next generation of thinkers, leaders and peacebuilders through the arts; inspiring cultural exchange and dialogue. We amplify the voices of children and young people all over the world.  neversuchinnocence.com (nd). I see Never Such Innocence (NSI) as a po...
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Art Lesson: Creating a Fair World for All Women and Girls

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 Art Lesson: Creating a Fair World for All Women and Girls By Dr Joshua Y'Barbo , Artist-in-Residence  at TEAM LEWIS Foundation. Created using   5MinuteLessonPlan.co.uk My daughter painting at Penarth Studios, 4 Aug 2023. Big Picture The lesson focuses on  understanding and expressing  ideas about gender equality  through art and performance,  aiming to foster reflection,  creativity, and collective action. Objectives Understand the importance of gender equality. Reflect on personal experiences related to gender equality. Create art or performance expressing ideas about gender equality. Present and discuss creations to encourage collective action.  Stickability Value of gender equality Personal reflections impact art Art as a tool for social change Assessment for Learning Ask students to explain the message behind their art or performance. Evaluate the depth of reflection in personal experiences shared. Assess the clarity of connections made ...
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Advocating for All Women Artists: Change in Discourse, Truth Over Ignorance, and a More Equitable (Art)World

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Advocating for All Women Artists: Change in Discourse, Truth Over Ignorance, and a More Equitable (Art)World  Dr Joshua Y’Barbo , Artist-in-Residence for TEAM LEWIS Foundation Better When We Work Together (2023) by Joshua Y'Barbo. A daughter-daddy collaboration in mixed media on card.16cm x 21cm. Introduction With today's political and economic climate, we must turn to the transformative power of contemporary art to create social impact by challenging oppressive narratives and advocating for equal and equitable representation, including the rights of marginalised genders and sexual orientations. These issues collide in the current political theatre over women’s fundamental rights in the US and across the world , illustrated by the recent UK Supreme Court gender ruling regarding biological sex in the name of equality. Now is the time to utilise contemporary artists’ social platforms to amplify their influence for climate, racial, and social change both locally and globally. ...
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Art Lesson: Exploring home, nostalgia, resilience, and symbolism in Art

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Art Lesson: Exploring home, nostalgia, resilience, and symbolism in art Dr Joshua Y'Barbo (2025) via 5MinuteLessonPlan.co.uk Home in the Wind (I Don't Like it in the Wind) ( 2025) by  Joshua Y'Barbo.  Digital Print, Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas.  178 cm x 118.89 cm. Big Picture This lesson will engage pupils in exploring home, nostalgia, resilience, and connection themes through various creative outlets such as art, design, poetry, and performance. Objectives Understand and appreciate home, nostalgia, resilience, and connection through artistic expression. Create a visual representation that conveys personal feelings and experiences related to the themes explored. Stickability Key concepts : Home, Nostalgia, Resilience, Connection; Visual representation of emotions and experiences. Assessment for Learning Assessment can be done through peer feedback on artwork, a reflective journal entry, or a group discussion where students explain their creative choices. Adaptabili...
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On Display: A Wing and A Prayer & Home in the Wind (2024-2025)

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On Display: A Wing and A Prayer & Home in the Wind (2024-2025) Dr Joshua Y'Barbo (2025) In March, I installed some commissioned prints in the TEAM LEWIS office at Battersea Power Station. These works delve into personal themes of nostalgia, resilience, and the intricate journey of self-discovery that comes with leaving one home for another. Each piece tells a tale that reflects the bittersweet nature of growth—a narrative shaped by the echoes of family connections, the dreams of youth, and the inevitable challenges life presents. In these works, I explore the shared human experience of longing, growth, and connection, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply within us all. Joshua Y'Barbo Home in the Wind (Come Back Home Again) 2025 Digital Print, Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas 118.89 cm x 178 cm Come Back Home Again is from a series titled Home in the Wind (2024-2025), which I based on the Bob Dylan Song, I Was Young When I Left Home (1966), inspiring loss of ...
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