The Lost Art of Somalia

This is the story of one man’s quest to save his country’s past and how he rescued 34 priceless pieces of Somali artwork bringing them safely across from war torn Somalia, Africa and through Europe to London.

After 20 years of statelessness and warlord control, large numbers of diaspora Somalis from around the world are looking to reconnect and rebuild their country. Ali, filmmaker and artist, escaped with his family and now lives in London.

He is a member of Initiatives of Change (IofC)’s Agenda for Reconciliation programme supporting him in his quest to find a permanent place to showcase the artwork publicly until such time as he is able to reopen the Golol Gallery – the first and last Somalian art gallery – in Mogadishu.

First published on Initiatives of Change United Kingdom