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Local sculptor Jill Baird presents War and Protest, a powerful exhibition of small paper-clay sculptures exploring the human cost of war and the impulse toward violence that runs through history and across borders.

The exhibition will be shown at Caerphilly Miners Centre, Watford Road, Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ, and will be officially opened by Anthony Slaughter, leader of the Wales Green Party, on Sunday February 15.

The sculptures were created following the artist’s experience of attending a protest in Cardiff against the genocide in Gaza.

During the protest, Palestinian participants carried photographs of surviving children and played recordings of bombs striking buildings and people.

These sights and sounds left a deep impression on the artist and form the emotional starting point for the work.

While rooted in the events in Palestine, War and Protest is not only about one place or one conflict. The exhibition reflects on that part of human nature that turns towards violence in many parts of the world, and asks viewers to confront both suffering and responsibility.

Several of the sculpted figures are accompanied by a white flag. This is not a flag of surrender, but a plea for peace.

The exhibition is open daily between 10am and 12pm; and 2pm and 4pm, and will run from February 15 until Friday February 20. All are welcome.