« It struck me in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall that art/artists had not only an aesthetic responsibility but a social and political responsibility. In 1990 I traveled extensively in the former east bloc and was overwhelmed by the extraordinary artwork that had come out of 50 years of repression and totalitarian government. It was astoundingly sensitive and relentlessly critical.

I like so many of us had been so thoroughly frustrated by stale and relentless media coverage so prone to exagerration and pathos when reporting the vast changes that had taken place in the east bloc and the adjustment to democracy as beautiful as it might seem. Artists  came out of hiding and blossomed and the 50 years of misery became the leitmotiv of their work … so much human tragedy and suffering surfaced like a recurring nightmare and a new art form was born: Political and conflict art… art which grows as a reaction to   repression, tyranny, social injustice and human misery.

In 1992 I founded the organization “Work In Progress” to provide a platform for these artists and to start operating through the organization in conflict zones and to recognize that art can help change the world.

From there inspired by the artists in ex-Yugoslavia, during the war in Bosnia I traveled extensively to Sarajevo organizing exhibitions and financing cultural projects during the siege… Culture, art are fundamental to what makes us human … a necessity like food… or water. The Bosnians taught me this… the theatres and concert halls never closed and there were art galleries that continued to function during one the 4 year siege of the city.

Since then we have continued our activities expanding to the sensitive Middle East and Central Asia … following conflict closely and working closely developing programs and funding young artists and giving them a platform.  WIP works closely with the Institut Français in Iraq and Afghanistan and we work with the various artists who work in the Beqaa valley on educational and artistic projects for Syrian refugees. »

Nikki Diana Marquardt, President of Work In Progress