PIO sculptor to help refugees |
Renowned Indian-origin British sculptor Anish Kapoor, who has emerged as a champion of Syrian refugees` rights, won Israel`s prestigious one million dollar Genesis Prize for his commitment to Jewish values. Kapoor, 62, spoke out against "abhorrent government policies" towards refugees as he was named the recipient of this year`s Genesis prize, dubbed Jewish Nobel. The prize committee, headed by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, acknowledged Kapoor as "one of the most influential and innovative artists of his generation". Kapoor, born in Mumbai to an Iraqi-origin Jewish mother and Indian father, said he will donate the award money to help people who have fled war or persecution. He said he would use the money to help alleviate the refugee crisis and try to expand the Jewish community`s engagement in a global effort to aid Syrian refugees. He also made a passionate plea to Jews around the world to speak out for refugees wherever they are. Kapoor created the Holocaust Memorial for the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London and the 70 candles for Holocaust Memorial Day in Britain in 2015, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz from the Nazis.
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