An artist and refugee who was prosecuted in his homeland for his art has created a painting that he hopes will raise £761,000 ($1 million USD) for Ukraine.
Davood Roostaei, originally from Iran but now living in the US, started working as an artist in the late 70s, when the Iranian revolution saw him thrown in jail for two years because his art was deemed subversive by the government.
After being released, he sought asylum in Germany but has since emigrated to the US.
After witnessing the “inhumane” war in Ukraine, which has seen millions of people fleeing their homes and becoming refugees, Davood felt compelled to help.
“It saddens me deeply to see people experiencing this horrific war in Ukraine,” he told Jam Press.
“It must come to an end! Putin must be stopped!
“The war crimes being committed in Ukraine right now are truly cold, inhumane, and just outrageous… I don’t think words can fully describe the horrific events that are unfolding.
“I hope people who have been fortunate enough to not have had the first-hand experience of war, to be able to connect through my art with the humanity of the situation – or rather inhumanity.
“No person should have to face the atrocities of war.
“We must come together and help support conflict resolution globally.
“Everyone can make a difference – as long as they want to make a difference!”
Davood, who is well-known in the art world for favouring ‘cryptorealism’ – painting without brushes, instead using your fingers – is currently working on the piece he hopes will raise them money.
He has dubbed it ‘Imagine’, with the huge canvas measuring at 8x12ft, and estimates it will sell for between $700,000-$1,000,000.
The artist said: “It is both a mediation on peace and a call for it.
“It depicts both the horrors of war and the joys of peace.
“This is not the first time I have dedicated my work and the proceeds of it, but it is certainly one of the more large-scale projects I have done in this capacity.”
The artist has 13,700 followers on Instagram (@davoodroostaei) and counts celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Hillary Clinton as his fans, and has showcased his work in museums across the globe.
