In a few hours I’ll be starting my journey from little Wales to great big Pakistan. It’s a return journey for me; I visited in 2007 and I loved it so much that I’ve always wanted to go back, but life got in the way. So now I’m off to be an artist-in-residence in Rawalpindi for most of April. Last time I visited I travelled up the Khyber Pass to the border with Afghanistan. This is a large monotype I did from a tiny sketchbook drawing, standing on a hill in Pakistan with a bunch of jolly soldiers (the Khyber Rifles), looking down at Tamurlaine’s ancient fort and the Afghan border and waving at the drones going overhead. I’ve called it ‘Let Peace Prevail’ because just behind me was a sculpture erected by schoolchildren with ‘Let Peace Prevail’ written on it and it really moved me.
As we travelled back towards Peshawar, I took a photo of a family of Afghan refugees returning back home, looking very happy and I used it as the inspiration for this monotype. I didn’t know at the time that the situation in Afghanistan was set to become much worse. I often wonder if these children were able to resettle safely back home or if they ended up as refugees once more.
I’m very excited to be returning as the country and it’s people inspired me so much last time. I’ll be blogging my journey every day, but might miss a blog or two while I’m travelling. See you in a day or so. 🙂
My residency has been supported by Wales Arts International and Arts Council Wales.
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Wow, I thought it was nearly impossible to get into the Khyber Pass area for foreigners in general. Good luck with it.
Thanks Ben, been and gone and come back 🙂 Couldn’t get into the Khyber Pass this time around unfortunately.
Sorry to hear I’d love to hear the story if you care to tell it. Last one I knew who did was Steve from backpackology.org. And I think that was about 2 years ago.
Still, I’d love to hear more of your story too.
Last time I went with friends from a military family who had arranged for a jeepload of local militia and Khyber Rifles (local regiment) to accompany us. After Peshawar, we travelled up to Mitchni Post, where we stopped for lunch at a beautiful Raj compound, with the most marvellous lawns and arboretum – in a mountainous desert! Then we carried on to the Afghan / Pakistan border where we chatted to very jolly soldiers who found it very entertaining to wave to the American drones as they flew over. Rather sobering. About 3 weeks after our visit, Mitchni Post was bombed and as far as I know, few, if any, Westerners have been allowed up the Pass since.
Congratulations Rosie! Have a great time 🙂
Thanks David
Safe journey, keep in-touch! Russell.
24 hours from door to door but settling in now
How exciting. Be safe, and I can’t wait to see what inspires you there.
It’s all very exciting
Fantastic! so looking forward to seeing your work. Have a safe trip
Thanks Julie 🙂
Really great news. Have a safe journey and stay there!!!
Thank you 😀
Wow, what a wonderful opportunity Rosie. Really looking forward to reading your posts.
If I can get the Internet to work lol
Fingers crossed for a safe journey. May all your flights be on time and none leave you behind! 🙂
OK so far 😀
Have a great trip, can’t wait to see how it inspires you this time!
Getting loads of inspiration
Reblogged this on JHladikVoss57's Blog and commented:
Wonderful work!
Safe Journeys!
Thank you, Judith 😀
This is beautiful evocative work and I am just SOOOOOOO looking forward to following this journey of yours Rosie
Thanks Helen, I’m really excited about it 🙂