In 1937 Spanish artist Pablo Picasso immortalized Guernica, symbol of the Basque nation, which suffered ruthless bombing during the Spanish civil war. For the Spanish pavilion in the Paris Exposition, Picasso produced a large black-and-white mural that protested the destruction of Guernica. It was said to be a "document of intellectualized pain."
Here in Tokyo at Shibuya, a project calling itself Kids' Guernica is under way and inviting participation. "Kids' Guernica is a symbol of hope for peace," said director Shin Maeda. "Children are always victims of war. Kids' Guernica is against any war." This project was initiated by Art Japan Network in 1995, the 50th anniversary year of the end of World War II.
Shin is an independent, forthright woman who emerged early on as the only artist in her family. As her father was in the building trade, the family frequently moved. Strong-willed even when she was much younger, Shin was able to get herself to Paris, where she had her awakening during the three years of her study at the Academy Julian dei Debbio.