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RIPPLE EFFECT

The 'Ripple Effect' Watercolor Exhibition seeks to illuminate the intricate connections between environmental degradation, social injustice, and human rights violations stemming from the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) projects. This significant exhibition, scheduled from May 1-5, 2024, in Tbilisi, Georgia, serves as a platform for impacted communities to voice their concerns and convey a potent message using the evocative medium of watercolor.

The exhibition's core theme delves into the far-reaching consequences of ADB-funded destructive projects on global social and ecosystems. Artists will utilize watercolor as a poignant medium, capturing the innate beauty of water juxtaposed with the challenges and destruction wrought by ADB initiatives. Furthermore, these watercolor paintings will undergo digital reproduction to extend their reach via social media platforms.

Unveiling ADB's Ecological & Human Rights Violations through Watercolor Narratives

This exhibition is presented by the NGO Forum on ADB in collaboration with the

Coalition for Human Rights in Development, CEE Bankwatch, and Green Alternative,

with support from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southeast Asia.

- ABOUT THE ARTISTS -

MORSALINA ANIKA

A young visual artist from Bangladesh is currently pursuing her studies in the Fine Arts with a specialization in painting. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has passionately engaged in various social movements over the past seven years, advocating for causes such as anti-corruption, road safety, anti-rape, abolition of the Digital Security Act, and the protection of trees on Satmasjid Road, among others. Presently she holds a role as a member in the film and fine arts department of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpogosthi (central parliament).

LABANI JANGI

A 2020 PARI Fellow and self-taught painter from West Bengal's Nadia district, explores the intersection of art and social issues. Currently pursuing a PhD on labor migrations at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata, her work reflects a deep engagement with human experiences and societal dynamics.

* Art pieces are digitized by Karl Isaac Santos from the Philippines.

Promises Unfulfilled

Song Bung 4 Hydropower Project | Vietnam

This painting tells the tragic story of a 156-megawatt hydropower project in Vietnam funded by the ADB. It depicts the impending devastation for the Ka Tu ethnic minority, underscoring the ADB's negative role in disregarding safeguards and public communication policies. The artwork vividly shows the ADB's failure to consult stakeholders transparently, expressive strokes unveil the struggles of affected families, emphasizing issues like housing, livelihood, and compensation inadequacies.

In the Flow of Opposition

Tanahu Hydropower Project | Nepal

This piece captures the essence of the Tanahu Hydropower Project in Nepal, funded by the ADB, amidst a backdrop of serene landscapes. However, within the gentle strokes lie shadows of contention and struggle. The artwork portrays the obstacles faced by the project, including issues of inadequate compensation, insufficient consultation, and incomplete impact assessments. Indigenous communities are depicted expressing their concerns about representation and the potential harm to their ancestral lands. Allegations of violating ADB policies linger in the background, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding narrative.

Silent Desolation

Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project | India

This piece portrays the silent struggles of fish workers, farmers, herders, and communities on the verge of poverty.
Funded by the ADB, the flawed implementation of the massive power station has left a mark of environmental and social devastation. Tragadi bandar, Kothadi bander, and Navinal, once vibrant, now echo stories of debt cycles, diminished fish catch, and shattered dreams. This artwork serves as a poignant reminder that affected communities seek justice, amplifying the voices silenced by coal dust, salinity, and economic exploitation.

Nature's Last Stand

Railway Sector Investment Program | India

This piece captures the delicate balance between nature's beauty and the looming threat of railway expansion in the Western Ghats. Funded by the ADB, the proposed project cuts through biodiversity hotspots, endangering ecosystems and disrupting the lives of indigenous communities. The artwork stands as a powerful reminder of the vulnerability at hand and the pressing requirement for sustainable policies. It represents the enduring global battle for environmental conservation amidst unbridled development.

Phulbari's Fight Against Corporate Greed

Phulbari Coal Project | Bangladesh

Capturing the resilient spirit of Phulbari, this evocative watercolor painting stands as a testament to the community's fierce resistance against the proposed coal mining project. As the ADB withdrew its support, echoing the global call to halt the Phulbari coal project, the canvas reflects the tragic 2006 protests, the unwavering determination of the Forum network and allies, and the alarming environmental impact, emphasizing the displacement of 130,000 people and the absence of a viable plan to prevent acid mine contamination.

Shadows of Progress

Visayas Base-load Power Project | Philippines

In this watercolor painting, the Visayas Base-load Power Project funded by the ADB is portrayed amidst a landscape of vibrant hues. Yet, within the serene scenery lie contours of contention. Environmental concerns ripple through the canvas, as the looming presence of coal-fired power plants raises questions about sustainability and ecological balance. Social displacement casts shadows on the landscape, as communities grapple with the implications of land acquisition and resettlement. Amidst these challenges, the delicate dance between energy security and environmental stewardship unfolds.

Journey Through the CAREC Corridor

CAREC Transport Corridor 1 | Kyrgyz Republic

This painting depicts the intricate pathways of the CAREC Transport Corridor, connecting Central Asian nations for trade and cooperation. Vibrant hues illustrate the promise of connectivity and economic growth. However, looming in the background are the shadows of challenges. Security risks in conflict zones and the environmental impact of infrastructure development cast uncertainties on the corridor's future. Through delicate brushstrokes, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in progress and the necessity for mindful navigation through interconnected landscapes.

Ripples of Concern

Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program |
Sri lanka

This artwork captures the story of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program in Sri Lanka, funded by the ADB. Serene hues depict the tranquil waters of the Mahaweli River, yet beneath the surface, concerns emerge. Environmental impact shadows the landscape as the infrastructure alters the river's flow, impacting the habitat of native elephants. Social displacement adds complexity as communities confront land acquisition and resettlement. Technical challenges illustrate the complexities of water management. Financial sustainability and governance issues further complicate the picture.

Teesta's Troubled Waters

Teesta Irrigation Project | Bangladesh

This art piece delves into the complexities surrounding the Teesta Irrigation Project, funded by the ADB. Amidst serene landscapes, turbulent currents of controversy and challenge swirl. Disputes over water-sharing agreements cast shadows, echoing the struggles of communities along the riverbanks. Environmental concerns paint the canvas with hues of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, while the displacement of local communities adds layers of social upheaval.

Shadows of Steam

Geothermal Power Generation Project | Indonesia

In this watercolor, the story of the ADB-funded Geothermal Power Generation Project in Indonesia unfolds. Vibrant hues capture Indonesia's lush landscapes, yet uncertainty clouds its geothermal potential. Environmental concerns arise as land subsidence and habitat disruptions threaten project sustainability. Social displacement complicates matters as communities face land acquisition and resettlement. Technical challenges illustrate the complexities of geothermal development. Financial hurdles and regulatory landscapes add further complexity.

The Indorama Puzzle

Indorama Climate-Resilient Farmer Livelihood and COVID-19 Recovery Project | Uzbekistan

This watercolor painting encapsulates the intricate challenges encountered within the Indorama Agro project. Initially hailed for its promises of agricultural revitalization and employment opportunities, the reality depicted here is one of uncertainty and hardship for farmers and workers alike. Vibrant strokes portray the lush fields of promise contrasted with the shadows of delayed payments and job insecurity. The journey through this project is riddled with complexities, as depicted by the subtle nuances and layers of emotion within the artwork.

A Brushstroke of Injustice

Rehabilitation of the Railway
in Cambodia Project |
Cambodia

Within the gentle strokes, the painting unfolds the narrative of 4,000 families forsaken by a misguided railway upgrade, backed by the ADB. The watercolor articulates the tales of inadequate compensation, unfulfilled pledges, and shattered aspirations of Cambodia's impoverished. A visual elegy to the repercussions of policy failures, urging a transformative shift in accountability.

Ripple Effect Exhibition

RippleFX Art

RIPPLE EFFECT

Unveiling ADB's Ecological & Human Rights Violations through Watercolor Narratives

This exhibition is presented by the NGO Forum on ADB in collaboration with the

Coalition for Human Rights in Development, CEE Bankwatch, and Green Alternative,

with support from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southeast Asia.

- ABOUT THE ARTISTS -

MORSALINA ANIKA

LABANI JANGI

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