"What does a wounded soul look like?" • Elad Mohin, 15, from Haifa, bravely faces his painful past

(haipo) - Elad Mohin, 15 years old from Haifa, dedicated his final project at the end of the XNUMXth grade at the "Reot" School of Arts, to difficult experiences he went through and which he faces with astonishing courage.

become a "normal" child

"I presented a final project at the graduation exhibition of the 9th graders in Reut," says Elad. "The exhibition is called "Changes", and my project was about the story of a beaten child and the changes he went through to become a 'normal' child."

"I am thinking about the process that must go through from a child in trauma to a child who is post-trauma. The project drew inspiration partly from my personal experience, and partly from the plight of battered children. I asked myself what a battered child is. Do even those who leave the dark and violent home still continue to deal with trauma? I myself I went through something that children usually don't have to go through. Over the years, and especially today, I ask myself if there is visibility for a beaten child. What happens in a situation where the abuse is mainly mental? How can you show the authorities the wounded soul when there are no marks on the body?"

David and Goliath

He explains about his work: "This work mainly deals with trauma and the way to deal with it. It consists of 6 cartoons in which I describe the pain with the help of satire. I refer to several different situations in the work, with one of the works being a cartoon based on the biblical story of David and Goliath, It shows David fighting Goliath, who represents the abusive side.

The victory of the emotional sword

The painting was mainly influenced by verse 9, chapter 17 of the book of 1 Samuel: "And David kept the Philistines in the hand of David." I wanted to convey a clear message: The boy's uncle didn't have a sword, either I, like other children, did not have a sword, but we have an emotional sword - in the end, emotion and words are the ones that win. I believe that emotion and words have tremendous power."

Like a toy in the hands of an abuser

The project also has images that I created with the help of artificial intelligence. I presented them with a Kofiko doll, which for me represents childhood. The Kofiko doll is found in several situations: in court, on the sofa at home and even after leaving the house. At work there is also a sculpture with a chair in it that I painted orange, I turned the chair and between the pillars of the backrest I put the original Kupiko doll, so that it looks like it is in a cage. The doll represents my feelings - to be a toy in the hands of the abuser.

Keeps the viewer

"I also use comedic elements in my work that emphasize the drama. Humor helps refine the situation and keep the viewer engaged. To this day, comedic elements help me cope, and comedy in particular. Humor is my way of coping and that's what I want to do."

on my way

"Not long ago, I performed as a stand-up artist in an evening called 'Animals on Stage' at the Beat Club. Being involved in stand-up, writing and acting also helps me deal with life. I think it will accompany me throughout my life, it is what leads me to continue using humor alongside the dramas of life, it is important for me to tell The stories are on my way."

Do you have any difficulty sharing your experiences for better or for worse?
"I have been in psychological treatment for 8 years. I was born to be open, my mother is also a very open person. I was blessed with the values ​​I received from my mother, and the conversations with the psychologist allowed me to be an open person. If I don't continue on my path, I will be more depressed. In my opinion, this will be a victory for personal traumas. The message of my work is that you have to move on and find ways to fill in the gaps. If you don't see light at the end of the tunnel, you have to keep going, then you can see the light."

"Raise the flag of the soul"

Do your friends know about your experiences?
"Of course they know, they were at the exhibition and they support me and my path."

What advice would you give to a boy or girl dealing with trauma?
"When the exhibition opened, the teachers of the major (Orit Galband, who is the coordinator of the major, Eyal Levy, Avihai Avraham, Thea Dolinsky and Edward Bogurd) presented the students' works. When it was my turn, I said that this project is not only mine, but that of other children who suffer and go through difficult things. A child has his own worldview, and I'm sure that in the inner world of every child there are powers."

Don't give up hope

"I suggest not to lose your smile and not to give up hope. The trauma will always be strong, but you must not give in to it. I draw the example of coping from our people. We are a traumatic people, who have experienced pogroms, the Holocaust and even today are dealing with war and a deep wound, but we always lift up the flag of victory. Even the child who may not be able to express his distress - can raise the flag of his soul."

"Through the pencil I fix my world"

"In the research work that accompanied the project, I quoted the poet Shaul Tscheranhovsky from the song "I believe": "For I will still believe in man, in his spirit, a strong spirit." This is a line that represents me. I am a member of the Hashomer Hatzair movement and next year I will also be an instructor in Ken Neve Shaanan and this song is the anthem of the movement; it represents me and the values ​​of the movement that I believe in - Zionism, and the brotherhood of peoples. If I didn't believe in myself, I don't think I would have reached the place where I am today That I learned from life, from my mother and from the psychologist. I am proud to be a person who represents him, both in the national aspect and especially in the mental aspect. It advances our world and brings people closer together."