Bol Deng Malual was only four years old when he was separated from his parents and brother in Sudan amid heavy gunfire and explosions.

His family was walking for months on end through the country during the second civil war in 1983 to seek refuge in neighbouring Ethiopia or Kenya ‘ as did thousands of other Sudanese men, women and children.

The true story of Malual’s tumultuous journey and his reunion with his family 15 years later has been captured in semi-abstract acrylic paintings by Sudanese-born artist Hamid Ayoub, who lives in Ottawa.

The paintings illustrate a new children’s book, One Lost Boy, by American author Nancy Hahn.
Ayoub said Malual’s story was so touching that when he was approached by the author a year ago they got to work right away.

“It’s the sense of connection that we are from the same country and we run for our life, for a better life,” Ayoub said.

Prior to the book’s North American release, Hahn will launch a multimedia art exhibit showcasing her text and Ayoub’s illustrations to the sound of Sudanese music.

“This is not just a book,” said Hahn. “You can’t talk about the book without talking about the magnificent otherworldly images, (of which) Bol (Deng Malual) himself said, ‘It’s like you were there.’”

Hahn said plans are underway to bring the exhibit to Ottawa and the rest of Canada after it premieres in Washington, D.C., later this month.