Create art for Peace!

Ameneh Moayedi is a peacebuilder and artist who uses art as a tool for healing, understanding, and unity in divided communities. In this interview with Anna Rabko and George Thornton, she shares her journey, her vision for peace through creativity, and the challenges of fostering connection in a divided world.

•  Tell us about yourself. Could you share your background and how you got involved in peace-building or promoting peace?

I am Aménéh Moayedi. I am a  graphic artist and painter. I am Iranian and live in Paris. Posters and image art are my only means of creating peace and I use this method to fight. I present my work in international exhibitions, biennials, workshops, etc.

• What does peace mean to you personally? Can you describe a moment in your life where you truly felt at peace or witnessed peace in action? 

Peace! Even writing and designing the typography of this word gives me peace. I always search for peace in silence and Zen and the evolution of humanity. But, if we don't look at it personally, peace is the same as tolerance with others and understanding each other.

• What specific actions or initiatives do you take to promote peace? How do you handle situations where promoting peace is met with resistance or conflict?

I continue to repeat this word and its beautiful designs, for example, I send my letters with a peace stamp, or I place the bird of peace on my clothes everywhere. Sometimes small gestures can penetrate people’s hearts the most.

And bigger things like working with you and the Peace Museum.

• Do you think we can make the idea of peace more popular or appealing, especially among younger generations? How?

Of course it can! My opinion is that we should work on educating future generations from childhood, and I have many artistic ideas in this regard.

• What steps can individuals, communities, and governments take to protect peace in a sustainable way? 

It starts by the family learning to talk to each other, to understand each other better, to be tolerant. Governments and media play an important role in the minds of people and schools! Perhaps the enthusiasm and encouragement to know cultures will keep us away from this fear, because cowards love war…!

• Who or what inspires you to continue your work as a Peace Maker?

Eight years of my childhood was spent in war, and that is enough for me to be able to speak more about peace through my art and career, and how war reveals the ugly face of humanity.

• What is your vision for a peaceful world?

We should take children more seriously and introduce them to art, philosophy, and history. The wrong education can have a huge impact on children's future.

• If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to promote peace, what would it be?

Organize live programs where children and artists are directly involved, with the goal of peace. Peace is not just a word, it is a philosophy and an important ideology.