NVSL: Explanation of Selected Artistic Contributions

Contributors and Contributions
The response to the Call for Contributions for the National Vision exceeded the expectations of the TRC. Over the course of two months, the TRC received over 250 contributions from Sierra Leoneans, representing the workmanship of over 300 individuals. Among the contributors were residents of the capital and of the provinces, adults and children, artists and laymen, amputees and prisoners. The contributions included paintings, etchings and drawings: sculptures, wood carvings and installations; written and recorded poems, slogans, plays and prose.

Patrick Sinah 
Patrick Sinah, an artist in his thirties, submitted this painting of thirteen faces in profile looking to the future: a rising sun, good roads and street lights, flourishing natural resources and education. The faces represent the twelve districts and Freetown, while the green, white and blue of the Sierra Leone national flag emphasize strength in unity and pride in being Sierra Leonean.

Kabie Farama

Kabie Farama, a teenage victim of the war, submitted this image of reconciliation. In the upper half, Kabie depicts a perpetrator shooting a victim. In the lower half, Kabie depicts a victim, recognizable as such from the stub that remains of his right foot, holding the hand of the perpetrator, perhaps even dancing with him. The very act of creating this piece is an act of reconciliation on the part of Kabie. It is a powerful invitation to viewers, from a representative of tose most affected by the war, to take part in the process of reconciliation. 

Wilfred Thomas

Wilfred Thomas submitted his vision in the painted form of an eye, underlining the transparency he wants to see in Sierra Leone. The scales of justice lie at the centre against the Sierra Leonean flag. Images of a healthy and functioning society surround the figure of a judge. Moving clockwise around the scales, Wilfred represents schools full of children who can afford education, Sierra Leoneans cultivating their country's natural resources in the fields and at sea, cars and roads, modern buildings, and unity, love and reconciliaiton amongst all Sierra Leoneans holding hands.

Mohamed Bockarie "Stamp for the National Vision for SIerra Leone"
Mohamed Bockarie, in his late twenties, is a stamp-maker by trade. He created this stamp for the National Vision for Sierra Leone proclaiming: "It's true the war is over, welcome to new Sierra Leone". Inside the map of Sierra Leone is a crowd of men, women and children cheering while following a figure bearing the national flag.

RUFP Detainees, Pademba Road Prison

Nine RUFP detainees held at Pademba Road Prison since May 2000, submitted this painting (below), banners (right), slogans and other contributions, including an eighty-three page visionary statement. The painting depicts a shackled man, who is, however, not in a prison. This man could be any Sierra Leonean who for years has been shackled by poverty, bad governance and division, despite Sierra Leone's plentiful resources, as symbolized by the blue and green background. Only when this man frees himself of these man-mad shackles may he move towards the rising sun of a better future. To do so, the prisoners write, "Let us come together in love and solve Sierra Leone's problems" 

Mohamed Sekoya "I Saw"
Mohamed Sekoya, a draftsman in his mid-twenties, read his contribution at the launch of the National Vision Exhibit. In this piece, he uses the formula of repetition, a traditional form of emphasis and affirmation in Sierra Leone.

Emmanuel Bryma Momoh "Salone Pikin"
Emmanuel Bryma Momoh, in his mid-twenties, is a human rights officer for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone, (UNAMSIL), based in Koidu and he writes poetry for a hobby. He wrote "Salone Pikin", Krio for "children of Sierra Leone", for the National Vision to commemorate the many children affected by the violence in Sierra Leone.

Santos Kallon

Santos Kallon, a twenty-three year old amputee missing his right hand, is a woodcarver by trade. He submitted his vision in the form of a woman. On the back of the flag, Santos writes: My National Vision: peaceful, proud, patriotic, but humble, under one flag, for one Salone, Krio for Sierra Leone.

By Senesie Rogers

A Sierra Leone, I hope and pray
Fervently that one fine day
Will grow plump ripe, like a fat
Placid unassuming mother
That’ll breast feed children
Of the four comers of the earth
A transparent and tolerant mistress
That’ll teach her little children
The old tradition that, any time they sit down
To eat, they must remember that
There’re others coming after them
That may be equally, if not
More hungry and thirsty
A selfless Sierra Leone
A sweet Sierra Leone

“I dream of a Sierra Leone that will be worthy of the title of the Athens of West Africa; a land flowing with milk and honey, not one obsessed with silk and money; a promised land and a land of promise, where people will come running to seek pastures greener, instead of running away from our rotten infrastructure”

-from “My National Vision for Sierra Leone”, Chinsia E. Caesar

Saio M. Koroma, Charcoal Map of Sierra Leone
This was the First Prize Winner in the category "Other Art" awarded at the launch of the Exhibit in Freetown, December 2003.

“Celebration Time” by El-Denis

“If you look closely you will see the drums that have been rolled out. Drumming has actually started with the dancers in joyous mood.  This indicates the celebration of the peace that has been achieved in Sierra Leone with the hope of prosperity accompanying it.”

RUFP Detainees, Pademba Road Prison

Sidikie Bangura, a carpenter in his thirties, submitted this 3-dimensional model for a future capital of Sierra Leone made of wood and metal. “The Future of Freetown” comes in three sections: the main city, the bridge to the airport, and the railroad.