Ross Bleckner - Photo Sara Krulwich

Sponsored by Moschino, the exhibition “Welcome to Gulu” from the artist Ross Bleckner will leave its New York Moschino boutique on the 12th of May for the rooms of the United Nations, where the artist will be named as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to help fight human trafficking.

After the actress Mira Sorvino, named on the 12th of February, it’s now the turn of Ross Bleckner to receive this prestigious title. The UNODC, as the principal agency combating human trafficking works tirelessly to fight sexual slavery, the use of child soldiers, forced labour, illegal adoption and illegal organ transplants. In order to do so the Office works on the ground with governments, the private sector and non-governmental organization to educate the public and to engage in concrete actions.

For a number of years, Gulu and other parts of Northern Uganda have lived under daily attack from rebel troops. Thousands of children have been kidnapped and transformed into child soldiers. In January, Ross Bleckner joined the UNODC and the International Criminal Court (ICC) Victims Funds. To help extricate the child soldiers and captured young girls stuck in this horror, he led a painting workshop, continuing their rehabilitation through art and encouraging them to put an end to their past through artistic expression.

On the 12th of May, two hundred paintings created by former child soldiers and captured young girls of Gulu, one of the principal locations in the North of Uganda, will be exhibited as well as portraits painted by Bleckner himself. This initiative is proudly financed by Moschino explained the artistic director, Rossella Jardini. Money raised by the sale of these artworks will be reinvested to the benefit of the children in Uganda.

Since the 28th of April a selection of paintings has been presented in the Moschino boutique in New York. Following the 12th of May, a further selection will be displayed in the Lehman Maupin gallery in the city.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Emilie-Alice Fabrizi)