Nigerian girls abducted by Boko Haram honored in exhibition

Nigerian girls abducted by Boko Haram honored in exhibition

The faces of the 108 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014 are remembered in a new exhibition of sculptures in Lagos, Nigeria.

The 108 Chibok girls faces have been sculpted in clay in a collaboration between french artist Prune Nourry, university students, professional potters and the families of the victims.

Inspired by ancient Nigerian Ife terracotta heads and titled “Statues Also Breathe,” the sculptures recreate faces, facial expressions and hair patterns of the victims.

The mass abduction initially prompted worldwide outrage, with the slogan BringBackOurGirls trending on social media as prominent figures including former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama pressing for their return.

Since then, about 160 of the girls have been released, some after years of captivity, but the story has long faded from the headlines.

Prune Nourry hopes her work will remind the world of this largely forgotten tragedy.

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