August 2001 marks the 56th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Japan. On August 6, 1945, at exactly 8:15 in the morning, the Atomic age began with the vaporization of the City of Hiroshima and many of it's occupants. Three days later on August the 9th, Nagasaki suffered the same fate. The Japanese called the Bombs, "Pica-don" (Flash-Boom) and those who miraculously survived the explosions became

known as hibakusha (Atom Bomb Survivors).

In 1974, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) began a campaign to encourage hibakusha to create Artworks based on their memories of the Atomic Fire. After only a short time, thousands of Paintings and Drawings were collected. The great majority of works were done by non-professional Artists, but the content and spirit of their Art was moving nevertheless. The works place the viewer at ground zero in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Through the eyes of those who survived the nightmares, the unimaginable terror of Nuclear War is brought into sharp focus. Everyone in today's world should gaze upon and ponder the works of the hibakusha.

To commemorate the 56th Anniversary, ART FOR A CHANGE is presenting an exhibition of 12 hibakusha Paintings. The works are accompanied by text and the testimony of the Artists. The hibakusha Art can be found at the following URL;

http://www.art-for-a-change.com/Atomic/atomic.htm

Everyone is encouraged to link directly to the exhibit.

Mark Vallen

www.art-for-a-change.com