From June 3 until June 28, 2024 the Atrium City Hall and from June 18 until June 23, 2024 the Lange Voorhout in The Hague will be festooned with washing lines full of dresses.

These dresses have been donated by survivors of sexual violence in conflict, and their supporters. This landmark public art installation by the internationally recognized conceptual artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa will be a powerful homage to survivors of sexual violence in conflict worldwide.

The installation is created by artist Alketa Xhafa, working in collaboration with the Mukwege Foundation, the Embassy of Kosovo in the Netherlands, and the Municipality of The Hague.

Introducing Thinking of You
The artist initially conceived the concept in response to the ongoing traumatization and social exclusion of survivors of sexual violence from the war in her native Kosovo. The first Thinking of You exhibition (Prishtina, 2015) was held in the football stadium in the capital of Kosovo, receiving international acclaim and attention.

The process of making the installation became an act of collective listening and healing, and the final installation was a homage to the estimated 20,000 survivors of sexual violence committed by the Serbian army in Kosovo.

Since the first iteration of Thinking of You, it has been Alketa’s aim to take this installation to other countries and to collaborate in solidarity with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence around the world. It is a powerful tool to advocate for justice and to touch people emotionally, intellectually, and politically.

Since its initial launch in Kosovo and subsequent installations, Thinking of You has become a global symbol of remembrance and solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

Thinking of You art installation
In June 2024, Thinking of You will be installed in the Atrium of the City Hall and along the avenue of trees on the Lange Voorhout – this time gathering dresses and skirts from survivors of conflict-related sexual violence across the world, with support from SEMA, the Mukwege Foundation’s global network of survivors.

Drawing attention to the reality of sexual violence in conflict and its human consequences, this installation will challenge a wide audience to think more deeply about the lived realities of survivors around the world and mobilize key decision-makers to take stronger action in preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence.

This installation is in collaboration with the Mukwege Foundation’s Red Line Initiative, inspired by Dr. Denis Mukwege’s call for bold and new thinking to finally put an end to the wholly unacceptable use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.

With The Hague celebrated as the international city of peace and justice, there is no better place to present this exhibition. The installation coincides with International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on 19 June 2024.

Artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa
Alketa’s work delves into personal and universal themes that span motherhood, women, gender relations, memory, and the body. She utilizes various artistic mediums, including films, installations, paintings, and photography, to create pieces that draw from personal and collective experiences. She draws inspiration from the challenges that others face and endeavours to approach these themes from a personal and introspective point of view.

​As a woman and artist, Alketa is committed to creating platforms and collaborations that foster new discourse and challenge oppression and injustice in different communities. Her experience as a mother and her feminist values provide Alketa with a unique perspective that allows her to approach women’s issues from a broad standpoint. She is especially passionate about supporting vulnerable communities of women, such as survivors of sexual violence and wartime rape, who continue to experience social stigmas. Collaboration and participation are essential aspects of her work, and involving others in the creative process brings an added level of passion to her art.

Alketa was born in Kosovo and moved to London in 1997 to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martins. During the Kosovo War of 1998-1999, she became a refugee. Currently, Alketa lives and works in London, collaborating on art projects throughout Europe and beyond.

For more information on Alketa and her work, go to www.alketaxhafamripa.com.