Dubai pupil enters UN Art for Peace competition

Dubai A nine-year-old Filipino boy from Dubai has entered the United Nations' Art for Peace 2012 contest.

Angelo Reeves Dominic is one among four children from the UAE to enter the contest which ends on April 30. The contest calls young artists aged 5-17 across the globe to imagine a ‘World Free of Nuclear Weapons — a world without bombs, without wars, without fear'. It is organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in collaboration with the Harmony for Peace Foundation.

Participants are encouraged to watch a short film online (www.unartforpeace.org), and create artwork — using pens, pencils, crayons, charcoal, oil, acrylic paint or watercolour — based on the content of the film and the theme of the contest.

Dominic depicted a world free of nuclear weapons. He described his entry: "For me there is no need for bombs or guns or anything to harm people. My painting is called ‘X' because my maths teacher tells me x is equal to nothing or zero. To have peace is like zero war."

Social media

Dominic's mother, Bisai, a marketing professional, was actively promoting her son's entry on social media forums when Gulf News spoke to her. She said, "Our friends and relatives are supporting my son's entry on Facebook, YouTube, twitter and Pinterest. The contest relies on social media to promote its message of peace."

An amateur painter in acrylics and oil, the mother taught her son to paint from a young age. She hopes that the contest will boost his confidence and creativity. "I am also proud to see the UAE's name associated with the UN Art for Peace 2012 contest. When he entered the contest in February, he was the only contestant from the UAE. We are proud that he represents the country on a global platform of art and peace," she said.

Dominic added, "I am very happy. I did the painting and my mum helped me enter the contest."

The other three contestants from the UAE — Hani H, 14, from Dubai painted a "kind face"; Sulaiman F., 5, from Dubai painted "sea life"; and Jaime I., 17, from Abu Dhabi traced "a waste basket on the globe".

Details

What: UN Art for Peace 2012 contest

When: Contest ends on April 30

Eligibility: Children aged 5-17 of all nationalities

Criteria: Entries will be judged on creativity, composition, theme and technique

Prize: Winners in age groups 5-8 and 9-12 will receive art supplies; age group 13-17 will receive cash prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, and $100 for fourth. Winning entries will also receive a certificate from the United Nations and all winning artwork will be reproduced in a United Nations calendar.

Award date: May 2012