Against a backdrop of extremists’ attacks in the West and conflict in the Middle East, The Mediterranean Peace Donkey Project was a peacebuilding art exhibition of 21 life-sized fiberglass “Maltese” donkeys painted by premier Maltese, Gozitan, Egyptian and Western artists symbolizing the need for peace and compassion between the Middle East and West, and throughout the Mediterranean Basin.
Running from November 2015 through February 2016, first in Mdina, Malta during the Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale and then on the Maltese island of Gozo at the renowned Ta' Pinu National Shrine, a revered place of pilgrimage for centuries, The Mediterranean Peace Donkey exhibition used the symbol of the renowned and endangered Maltese donkey to focus global attention on four critical needs: interreligious harmony, Middle East-West relations, donkey welfare in zones of conflict, and humanitarian assistance for migrants/refugees (see "Learn More" below). The form for the life-size fiberglass donkeys was sculpted by the premier Egyptian artist Dr. Reda Abdel Rahman. The primary sponsors for The Mediterranean Peace Donkey exhibition were The Donkey Sanctuary, the global leader in the field of donkey welfare, and APS Bank. The Donkey Sanctuary prepared a report, titled Caught in the Middle, about the plight of donkeys in conflict zones of the Middle East that was launched with the exhibition.
During the course of the exhibition in Malta, CARAVAN also held two East-West concerts at the historic St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina that featured works and musicians that uniquely blended and explored the richness of Middle Eastern and Western musical traditions: ‘On A Caravan’ and ‘Notes of Faith’ (see below).
CURATOR
Paul G. Chandler
SCULPTOR
Dr. Reda Abdel Rahman
An author, art curator, social entrepreneur, and peacemaker, Paul G. Chandler has lived and worked extensively throughout the Middle East and North Africa in leadership roles within faith-based publishing, relief and development agencies and with the Anglican Communion. He has curated exhibitions in places like St. Paul’s Cathedral-London, Egypt’s Museum of Modern Art, Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Dr Reda Abdel Rahman is an Egyptian artist who lives and works in New York. He has enjoyed a prolific international career in the arts. He is also known for his vision of promoting artists and the Egyptian art scene. Dr Abdel Rahman's works have been widely exhibited around the world and are held in numerous collecitons. He has also received important residencies, such as at Mana Contemporary.
ARTISTS
The 21 artists selected for The Mediterranean Peace Donkey project include men and women, from premier Maltese, Gozitan, Egyptian and Western contemporary artists to emerging younger artists that use a variety of artistic mediums.
The form for the life-size fiberglass donkeys was sculpted by the premier Egyptian artist Dr. Reda Abdel Rahman.
Agatha Grima
Anna Galea
Christopher Saliba
Claire Marie Pearman
Daniela Guevska
Damian Ebejer
Emma Victoria Morgan
Abi Macleod Clark
Federico Chini
Farid Fadel
Hend Adnan
Ibrahim El Dessouky
James Micallef Grimaud
James Vella Clark
Karim Abd Elmalak
Kenneth Zammit Tabona
Khaled Hafez
Miriam Hathout
Mohamed Talaat
Myriam O
Rachel Galea
Valerio Schembri
The Happy School
CONCERTS
ON A CARAVAN
28 November 2015
An East-West Organ Concert by American organist Calvert Johnson
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, Malta
This CARAVAN organ recital by noted American organist Calvert Johnson explored Arab and European cultures, included Spanish Renaissance music that demonstrated the lingering influences of Arab musical culture, contemporary music by Arab composers and American works featuring conflict and resolution.
NOTES OF FAITH
4 December 2015
An East-West musical contemplation of the fundamental eternal questions of existence, faith, harmony and peace
St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina, Malta
Conducted by Raoul Lay, 'Notes of Faith" was a concert of works by four contemporary composers--including the world premiere of noted Jewish composer Doron Kima’s East-West composition, “Seeds of Hope,” which blends Western classical music and Arabic music into a single cohesive work. The concert featured the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and soloists Nizar Al Issa (oud) & Bashir Abdel Aal (nay).