Soccer Everywhere: Art Amid Conflict

A striking 14-by-18-foot photo collage titled “Soka Kila Mahali” — meaning “Soccer Everywhere” in Swahili — now hangs at Lawrence City Hall, spotlighting children playing soccer in Goma, DRC. Created by artist Gary Mark Smith during a UN peacekeeping mission in 2015, the piece uses soccer’s universal joy to draw attention to the region’s brutal, overlooked conflict and displacement. As the first large-scale photographic banner in the Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition, it redefines public art by enduring outdoors and weathering storms — now back up and on display through August. Smith, a longtime Lawrence resident and mentor, sees this work as both a personal calling and a global plea, using grid composition to convey the weight of monumental events. With the World Cup in full swing, the exhibit’s timing amplifies its message — soccer as both escape and symbol of resilience in a war-torn world. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/670af68e1e3b6c58