Dear Humaira Abid,

Allow me to begin this letter with a note of condolence; to the families who lost their children to wars, to anyone who could resonate with such pain and to all of us who should not only mourn the children but the dearth of sanity, the debacle of compassion and the death of humanity. I am writing this letter with trembling hands, tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. It is how strong the message is in 'The Shape of War', the recently installed piece at Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle. "20 altars of loss," as the installation is described by The Seattle Times, each honouring a child lost in war.

A wooden rehal, a typical book-rest for the Quran, with prayer beads and a tiny flower also carved in wood, set on a small, white school desk, drawer open, revealing pictures, dreams and aspirations of the lost ones. This is a classroom where all the students are absent. They were forced to quit the course of life, leaving a muffled void behind. Those who were immolated for useless wars had the potential to live, grow and........

© The Express Tribune