The numbers themselves are horrific. The Syrian civil war, which began six years ago this month, has resulted in an estimated 400,000 deaths and another 11 million displaced people who are now refugees or still in the devastated country.
A new exhibit by Florence sculptor Harriet Diamond puts a face on that tragedy. Diamond spent some 20 months on her exhibit, “Driven From Their Homes,” which includes more than 100 figurines, which she sculpted, fired and painted. Some stretch in a 28-foot line escaping their city destroyed by bombs, others are shown in ruined apartment buildings, and more climb into boats to begin their new lives as refugees.
Diamond says, “You can see a range of emotions here — fear, sorrow, determination, courage — as people react to their lives being turned upside down. It’s a very basic response to the ugliness and inhumanity of war — people are trying to save their families.”
While political leaders argue about the strategic consequences of military battles in Syria, Diamond’s work gives voice to the real victims.
“Driven From Their Homes” is on view at the Oxbow Gallery, 275 Pleasant St., in Northampton, through March 26. Diamond will talk about her work at the exhibit at 7 p.m. March 23.