The Struggle of Artists Capturing the Agony of Sudan's War

Galal Yousif, an artist from Sudan, has depicted his harrowing journey and the ongoing conflict in his artwork titled "Man With a Heavy Heart." After fleeing Sudan earlier this year with only a small backpack containing his passport, clothes, and a car key, Yousif first painted his experiences as a mural in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Now in Kenya, he has recreated the mural on canvas, symbolizing the loss experienced by the Sudanese people during the eight-month conflict. The painting shows a man with a hand over his heart, surrounded by red dots resembling gunshot wounds, with a moon shining behind his head and his backpack on the ground. Yousif's aim as an artist is to turn his personal experience into a collective visual narrative, providing insight into the suffering caused by the "useless war" in Sudan. The conflict, which began in April, has displaced around seven million people, according to the UN. Yousif heard the first signs of war while working at his studio in Sudan's capital and decided to flee to his family's home. Chaotic days followed as the situation deteriorated, prompting him to leave for Nairobi, Kenya, where he found a community of other Sudanese artists. However, life is challenging for these artists due to issues with asylum, lack of documents, and limited income. Despite the difficulties, Yousif and other artists are determined to keep Sudan alive through their artwork and share their stories of displacement. Many of these artists were part of the civilian protest movement that led to the overthrow of Sudan's former leader, but they now feel forgotten in the wake of the conflict. Yousif's family, currently in Rufa'ah, has faced attacks from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They are confined to their home and unable to flee or move around. Yousif, like his painting, continues to feel the pain caused by the conflict in his heart.