Originally from South Sudan, James Makuac has been painting for almost 30 years.

"I have hopes and dreams,” he says. “I tell the world, through my art, the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan. I want to remember the children, the innocent victims of war. I hope that my art might reflect upon a more universal theme and speak for all people who suffer through war and oppression.

“I paint the beautiful landscapes that I remember and the moon and stars at night, which we followed and believed would lead us to a place of safety. I think about the wonders of the natural world and good things that the earth provides.

“I am interested in mechanics and machines, like cars and airplanes. The symbols of my new life that transported me away from the heartbreaks and ravages of war.”