#495 Do We Truly Want Peace
2 100 € / 24 210 kr

Johan Söderström
Artist · Oslo, Norge
| Size | 64 × 84 × 5 cm |
|---|---|
| Medium |
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| Year | 2023 |
Filler, oak panel
I made this work in light of all the devastating news from Gaza this year (2023). I don’t use the cross in a religious sense (at least not consciously) but as a symbol of death. The title is inspired by a song that has been very important to me - Fred (till Melanie) [Peace (to Melanie)] by Mikael Wiehe. But I heard it first in the version of the Swedish band Imperiet.
The song questions the notion of peace. From a privileged position like mine, war definitely seems like the ultimate horror. But even if it is challenging, it is essential to remember that peace may come with a price that is possibly even worse. There can be no peace until all are free. Not freedom in a liberal, individual understanding - the freedom to exploit and oppress, but true freedom. The freedom from exploitation and oppression.