Plant Trees for Peace
Planting Peace When the World Turns Upside Down
The day the world turned upside down, I had to paint.
The watercolor “The Day the World Turned Upside Down” was created when the war in Ukraine broke out. It was not a decision made with my head, but with my heart. Even then, I knew this war would not be short-lived. The image had to come out. It had to be painted.
That the war would still be continuing years later, I did not foresee. Yet the painting still hangs in my studio. It lives a life of its own. I experience that it awakens many emotions in many different people — grief, helplessness, recognition, hope. Art has the ability to reach us where words fall short.
Planting Peace When the World Turns Upside Down
We live in a time where we must prepare ourselves for an unpredictable future. And precisely because of that, it becomes essential to find joy in the small miracles of everyday life. A glance. A color. A tree in bloom.
Enjoy life now has become my motto. Stand together.
How can you change the world by planting trees
As an artist, I cannot change the course of the world alone. But I can plant seeds — in the mind and in the soil. That is why I dream that the original of this artwork may one day be used for something greater than itself.
My dream is to use the painting to raise funds to create a forest in Ukraine. A forest for peace. A place where families can plant trees and, as they grow, remember their lost loved ones. A living memorial. A space for silence, grief, and hope. A place where peace is not just a word, but something that grows.
I imagined this could happen already in 2024. But I was wrong. The war continues. The painting still hangs in my studio. When people ask what it costs, I answer 100,000 DKK — and more. Not because the artwork is “expensive,” but because it is not enough to create the forest I envision.
And so the question always returns to me — quietly, insistently:
When is the time right?
When shall we plant peace?
Until then, I send my thoughts and my heart out into the world.
A warm embrace to those who are fighting.
Seek peace wherever you can.
And remember: peace can be planted.
Feel free to se more Art and inspirations by artist Mette Hansgaard, Denmark
