An artwork consisting of 15,000 teddy bears, each representing the life of a child tragically lost in Gaza, will be displayed at Barahat Msheireb in Doha.
Titled “Echo of Lost Innocence”, this charitable artistic installation designed by Bachir Mohammad aims to serve as a symbol of deep empathy and solidarity for the children killed in the Gaza Strip, while also calling for global solidarity.
The installation features over 15,000 small teddy bear sculptures, with each bear symbolizing a child who lost their life during the ongoing conflict. The teddy bears are dressed in black shirts bearing the message “I am not just a number. I am a human. I have an identity. I have a homeland. I am Palestine.”
The artist Bachir Mohammad, who conceptualized and designed the artwork, spoke about his inspiration: “As an artist and designer, I believe in the immense power of visual storytelling that can evoke empathy and encourage action to make a tangible difference in reality. The idea for ‘Echo of Lost Innocence’ arose from a deep sense of responsibility towards the pain and suffering that children in conflict zones endure and the obligation to bring this to the public sphere.”
“In this work, the teddy bears embody the lives of thousands of children who had dreams and were nurtured by families, only to face a lost future consumed by war. Through this installation, I want to remind the world of their pain and call for action on their behalf, hoping to ignite a spark among visitors that will drive them to contribute to making a real positive change, by supporting the children of Gaza.”
“I chose to use teddy bears because they symbolize childhood and safety worldwide, and in many cultures, this stands in stark contrast to the bitter reality faced by the children of Gaza. By placing them on concrete, I wanted to draw attention to the tragedy of stolen childhood innocence and the destruction that has affected homes and schools in Gaza. This visual contrast aims to stimulate reflection on the long-term effects of war on the youngest and most vulnerable segment of society,” he concluded.
