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On Wednesday morning (Sept. 2), Turkish police found the body of a 3-year-old Syrian refugee – Aylan Kurdi – who had drowned together with his 5-year-old brother Ghalib and mother Rehan in the Mediterranean sea while trying to escape Syria. Images of his lifeless body went viral, driving home the danger and desperation of the refugee crisis in Syria and inspiring a powerful emotional response from artists around the world.

These touching responses range from grief to rage, and regardless of where you stand on the Syrian refugee crisis and Europe's response, one thing is certain – children like Aylan and Ghalib should not be dying like this.

(h/t: reuters)

3-year-old Aylan Kurdi as he was found

syrian-boy-drowned-mediterranean-tragedy-artists-respond-aylan-kurdi-1

Image credits: Nilufer Demir/Reuters

This is how artists around the world responded:

#1

Do You See It Now?

Do You See It Now?

Valeria Botte Coca Report

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david
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our attention is so ephemeral and this will be lost as fast as all epiphanies. It's how those who rule us survive in power. You don't deserve to weep if you don't join a movement for change. Dry your eyes, Kim and Kanye is the next story.

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#2

How His Story Should Have Ended...

How His Story Should Have Ended...

Steve Dennis Report

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RhianBeynon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leave the farther alone. He is suffering more pain than you will know. That image is horriiffic. That little innocent belongs to his Dad. Peace PLEACE EVERYONE.

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#3

We Are Losing Ourselves As Humans,and The People Will Die Around The Borders

We Are Losing Ourselves As Humans,and The People Will Die Around The Borders

Azzam Daaboul Report

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MarieDwyer
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is my favorite/the creatures are crying and we are noting the tragedy. What has happened to humanity?

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#4

God Be With You, Little Angel. The Death Of Tragic Syrian Toddler Aylan By Gunduz Aghayev

God Be With You, Little Angel. The Death Of Tragic Syrian Toddler Aylan By Gunduz Aghayev

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#5

Hell Is The Reality We Living In

Hell Is The Reality We Living In

Khaled Yeslam Report

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AnnSefir
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

poor soul ! pour souls aroun 4- 5 years now there are killed merciless ,Europa knew USA also. And ....RIP for all pure souls ! also.

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#8

The Leaders Watching

The Leaders Watching

Umm Talha Report

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ShirleyBond
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The point is they are not leaders or they would lead and do something about this

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#9

Sleep My Child

Sleep My Child

ZEZO CARTOONS Report

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SusanMoore
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wrote a poem once about a river god, this seems to fit it a little

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#10

Humanity Washed Ashore

Humanity Washed Ashore

Murat Sayın Report

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DianaCovell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT A TRAGEDY THAT THIS FAMILY DIED WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE. They do not deserve to die like this.

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#11

Humanity Washed Ashore

Humanity Washed Ashore

Muaaz Alkhadra Report

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Martin
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

At least someone beat Banksy to it before that ripoff artist did

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#12

Flying Angel

Flying Angel

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ShashwatShriparv
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

कहने के लिए पूरी दुनिया है लेकिंग इस बच्चे के लिए कोई जगह नहीं :(

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#13

Still The Same.

Still The Same.

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MarianaRadkova
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everywhere is the same! Bulgaria 2015. "Kamen, 10 years. Junkie! AIDS, hepatitis C and do not know what else", according to police, who came to kick it out and chase him from the bench. No institution like it, no place to accommodate it. SACP, MLSP, NNC, support centers, accommodation, social integatsiya to turn on, off, God knows what else, and nobody wants him. When the other gipsys beat him to take his five lev from begging or drugs and "do the job", the problem will be solved. Until then - all in ostrich pose!!! Two hours after the incident with the police, a Syrian youth, refugees fed him in the mouth like a baby and helped him move to the near garden to sleep on the benches. I have recordings of all conversations that I had with the 112, 116111, 0800 ..., photos, video and a bunch of witnesses of the entire drama. And you do not forget to vote. Soon we'll be able to do it electronically! https://www.facebook.com/alex.neychev/posts/10204709628651095?pnref=story

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#14

From Embrace Of Syria To Drowning In The Sea Turkey

From Embrace Of Syria To Drowning In The Sea Turkey

Khaled Karajah Report

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Martin
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Syria was so embracing then the family wouldn't feel the need to leave that s**t hole

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#15

The Warmest Embrace

The Warmest Embrace

Rameez Murtaza Report

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#16

Humanity Slipping Away...

Humanity Slipping Away...

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CynthiaFaisst
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Helen Sawa most of the Art made me feel outraged but when I saw this I brok into tears again. The artist are amazing. Where are the musicians and the poets? #There's no such child as other people's children https://www.facebook.com/Nosuchchild

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#17

Leaving A Shitty World

Leaving A Shitty World

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#18

Syrian Dream By M.b.omrane - Original Artwork: Water Is Life By Maureen D. Dean

Syrian Dream By M.b.omrane - Original Artwork: Water Is Life By Maureen D. Dean

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#19

The New Face Of Humanity

The New Face Of Humanity

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#20

Noblest Of Them All

Noblest Of Them All

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MatiasArguello
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so wrong..... ... the kid's body should curve as the whale's back!

#21

We Put Him To Sleep, And It's About Time For Us To Wake Up

We Put Him To Sleep, And It's About Time For Us To Wake Up

Ghalia Al Twal Report

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#22

Don't Let Compassion Drown

Don't Let Compassion Drown

mystictris Report

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#23

Symbol For Crisis

Symbol For Crisis

Ahmed Falah Report

#24

In The Arms Of The Angel

In The Arms Of The Angel

Hope Sarout Report

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JohnWen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When i first time saw this artwork , a strong sadness suddenly strike my heart.

#25

Humanity Washed Ashore

Humanity Washed Ashore

ugurgallen Report

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#26

Cartoon: Rafat Al-khateeb

Cartoon: Rafat Al-khateeb

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#27

Humanity Washed Ashore

Humanity Washed Ashore

Afjol Uddin Report

#28

Oh, Look A Dolfin

Oh, Look A Dolfin

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#29

Pieta

Pieta

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SilvijaSavels
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LITTLE AYLAN IS NOW IN THE ANGELS CARE AS THE WORLD GRIEVES FOR HIS LOSS - Beautiful depiction ....such a tragedy!

#30

Society Of The Spectacle (by L'homme Jaune)

Society Of The Spectacle (by L'homme Jaune)

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#31

#arab !!

#arab !!

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#32

...

...

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#33

Proud Ride

Proud Ride

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#34

Go, Little One, With Loves

Go, Little One, With Loves

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#35

Sleep Deep In My Shoulders.. Here Is Your Safe Home..

Sleep Deep In My Shoulders.. Here Is Your Safe Home..

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#36

Thank You World

Thank You World

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#37

In Memory Of Aylan Kurdi 2012 - 2015.

In Memory Of Aylan Kurdi 2012 - 2015.

Rathon Report

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#38

Mare Nostrum

Mare Nostrum

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#39

Without Faith In Humanity

Without Faith In Humanity

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#40

Aylan(3) Ghalib(5)

Aylan(3) Ghalib(5)

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#41

#dieu

#dieu

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#42

Hope You Did Not Die In Vain Little One - Rip Aylan & Galip

Hope You Did Not Die In Vain Little One - Rip Aylan & Galip

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#43

Ceci N'est Pas Anne Geddes

Ceci N'est Pas Anne Geddes

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#44

I Painted This A Few Weeks Ago... Now I See A New Meaning Of My Painting.

I Painted This A Few Weeks Ago... Now I See A New Meaning Of My Painting.

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#46

I Have No Words - Ik Heb Er Geen Woorden Voor

I Have No Words - Ik Heb Er Geen Woorden Voor

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#47

Foundling Child! By: Ali Miraee

Foundling Child! By: Ali Miraee

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#48

This Is Where He Should Be.

This Is Where He Should Be.

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#49

Aylan, 3 Ans Et Sa Bouteille à La Mer ... Http://www.bar-a-mines.com/category/dessins-dactu/

Aylan, 3 Ans Et Sa Bouteille à La Mer ... Http://www.bar-a-mines.com/category/dessins-dactu/

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KellyNoble
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

instead of a message in a bottle- it's a message in a baby...this is an IMPORTANT message...:DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN ANYMORE!!!:....we 9as a nation...as individuals of this world, need to prevent anything like this from ever happening again. Bless you lil' one.

#50

In Memory Of Aylan Kurdi By Achraf Baznani

In Memory Of Aylan Kurdi By Achraf Baznani

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#51

Humanity Washed Ashore

Humanity Washed Ashore

Serhat Özdili Report

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#52

Remember...

Remember...

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#53

The Dreamer

The Dreamer

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#54

Crisis

Crisis

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#55

Save Refugees And Extend A Helping Hand

Save Refugees And Extend A Helping Hand

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#56

Faith In Humanity - Lost

Faith In Humanity - Lost

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#57

Rest. You Rest Now. Tonight You Are Safe In The Arms Of Angels.

Rest. You Rest Now. Tonight You Are Safe In The Arms Of Angels.

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#58

Aylan & Ashley

Aylan & Ashley

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#59

Us

Us

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#60

The Tired Angel :)

The Tired Angel :)

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#61

Praying For You Little Angel, Aylan!

Praying For You Little Angel, Aylan!

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#62

"hope Never Dies,it's Just Asleep." Author: Francisco Vargas /country: Costa Rica

"hope Never Dies,it's Just Asleep." Author: Francisco Vargas /country: Costa Rica

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#63

Stap Looking Away

Stap Looking Away

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#64

Cynizm

Cynizm

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#65

The Softening Of Hearts

The Softening Of Hearts

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#66

Aylan's Killer

Aylan's Killer

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#67

#dieu

#dieu

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#69

Die For Freedom & Sweet Home ..

Die For Freedom & Sweet Home ..

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#70

R.i.p. Aylan

R.i.p. Aylan

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#71

A Better Place

A Better Place

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#72

Pelase Love....

Pelase Love....

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#73

Ring A Ring A Rosy...

Ring A Ring A Rosy...

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#74

Moment Of Shame For Arab Countries .. By Bilal Chopra ..

Moment Of Shame For Arab Countries .. By Bilal Chopra ..

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#75

Devastated

Devastated

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#76

Don't Stay Neutral

Don't Stay Neutral

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#77

Will It Always Take The Death Of A Human Being For Us To See The Problems In Today's Society?

Will It Always Take The Death Of A Human Being For Us To See The Problems In Today's Society?

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#78

Babies Never Die

Babies Never Die

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#79

#dieu

#dieu

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#80

...

...

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#81

Dirty World ..

Dirty World ..

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#82

Praying For You Little Angel, Aylan!

Praying For You Little Angel, Aylan!

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#83

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

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#84

Waif Child! By: Ali Miraee

Waif Child! By: Ali Miraee

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#85

Protection

Protection

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#86

It's Not Exactly About Aylan Kurdi But It's About Syrian Refugees (the Same Tragedy)

It's Not Exactly About Aylan Kurdi But It's About Syrian Refugees (the Same Tragedy)

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#87

Blessed Are The Children , For Theirs Is The Kingdom Of Heaven

Blessed Are The Children , For Theirs Is The Kingdom Of Heaven

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#88

Would It Have Made A Difference?

Would It Have Made A Difference?

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#89

Sleep Tight, Little Boy

Sleep Tight, Little Boy

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#90

A Wake-up Sleep...

A Wake-up Sleep...

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#91

End Of The Future, God Be With You, Little Angel.

End Of The Future, God Be With You, Little Angel.

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#93

Waif Child! By: Ali Miraee

Waif Child! By: Ali Miraee

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#94

Ii Should End This Way

Ii Should End This Way

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#95

The Syrians

The Syrians

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#96

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

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#97

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