How we tackled international political violence with restorative justice and art

Clair Aldington has used art and restorative justice to address political violence and terrorism across the world. The Shetland-based artist, researcher and restorative justice (RJ) facilitator, is a member of the restorative circle group The Encounter of the Encounters and has staged an art exhibition from this international RJ work.

Q: How and why did you start combining art with restorative justice (RJ) in your work?

A: RJ found me through my arts practice. It wasn’t planned – it just sort of happened. Back in 2001, I was working on a creative project with young people in England and because of the way I connected with the group I was invited to be part of a newly set up RJ service, working with young people involved in crime.

In my first RJ case, I worked with a young person who had stolen from a shop. She was too nervous to meet the shop manager and security guard face-to-face, so we used art instead to explore her feelings. Together, we made masks that represented her remorse and gifted them to the shop staff. This experience opened my eyes to the power of a handmade object in communicating emotions and remorse when words fall short.

Fast forward to 2008, I co-founded Space2face in Shetland. It’s a charity that makes art a core part of the RJ process. We’re not like other RJ services; art is woven into everything we do. It helps people communicate, reflect, and heal in ways that go beyond just talking.

Q: How does art help in the RJ process?

A: A big challenge in RJ is how much it relies on talking. When people are dealing with trauma – whether from causing harm or being harmed – words can often fail them. On top of that, many people in the justice system have low literacy levels, making verbal communication even harder.

That’s where art comes in. It’s like a “physical language” that helps people express feelings they can’t put into words, it also creates something tangible. At Space2face, participants create artwork or objects that carry their emotions. Sometimes, these creations are given as gifts, like a symbol of remorse, understanding, or the bravery it takes to engage in the RJ process.

Art makes RJ more accessible, inclusive, and therapeutic. It bridges gaps between people, helping them connect on a deeper level and work toward healing and understanding in ways that words alone sometimes can’t achieve.

Q: Can you tell us about the Encounter of the Encounters group and the Convergences exhibition?

A: Encounter of the Encounters is this incredible international restorative circle group that started in 2019. It brings together people affected by political violence and terrorism – both those harmed and those responsible – from places like the Basque Country, Northern Ireland, Italy, Israel, Palestine, Belgium, and Ukraine.

I was invited to join them as a restorative facilitator and artist. At our first meeting, I ran an art workshop where participants made art pieces in groups with people from their country. For some, it was their first time interacting with people from “the other side” of the conflict. Art became a bridge, enabling simple but deep conversations that maybe started with something as small as asking for scissors. Over time, we started working in cross-cultural groups, using creativity to overcome language and cultural barriers. It was such a powerful place for healing– we shared skills as well as laughed, which some people didn’t expect would happen.

The Convergences; Collaborative Artwork to Aid Dialogue with the Other exhibition grew out of this work and was commissioned by the Basque Institute of Criminology and the University of the Basque Country. It’s a collection of collaborative art from the group and my own pieces inspired by their experiences. It’s a way to share their stories, highlight our shared humanity, and keep the dialogue going. The exhibition premiered in the Basque Country in May 2024, and we’re hoping to take it on an international tour, including a stop in Scotland.

Q: What was it like for the group to receive the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) award?

A: The award was presented at the EFRJ conference in Estonia this year, and it recognised the group’s outstanding contributions to RJ. It was incredibly moving for our group to be acknowledged in this way.

For me, it was particularly special because I’d actually designed the physical award during COVID. It was made by four artisans based in Shetland, so it’s very much a Shetland and Scottish creation. When the group received the award, they asked me to take it back home to tour with the Convergences exhibition. It was such a full-circle moment – this award we created ended up coming back to Shetland.

Q: How does RJ tackle the impacts of political violence?

A: Restorative justice can provide a safe space for people affected by political violence and terrorism – whether directly or indirectly –  to share their experiences and try to understand each other. It’s not about forcing agreement or forgiveness – it’s about creating a space where people can lean towards understanding, not erasing differences but trying to see where the other person is coming from.

Political violence and terrorism leave such deep scars that take generations to heal, and RJ offers that ongoing space for conversations,  allowing more people to join and engage. The Encounter of the Encounters group is a great example. Some participants whose parents were victims or perpetrators of crime have carried the weight of harm they didn’t cause and are still deeply affected by it. One young woman shared how she hid her identity for years because of her parents’ actions. RJ gave her a space to tell her story and start moving forward.

In a polarised world, RJ is a way to build understanding, one conversation at a time. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s a vital step towards healing and preventing further harm.