FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

We bring the artwork directly into public spaces outside schools, in public plazas, marketplaces, sidewalks, and neighborhood centers where people already live, walk, and gather. These locations are open, familiar, and accessible, making it easier for anyone to participate. Working outdoors fosters natural connection and invites those who may never enter a gallery or museum to be part of something beautiful and lasting. It also allows us to meet people where they already feel a sense of comfort and belonging.

There’s a practical, artistic reason the panels must dry quickly between hand impressions to preserve their shape and prevent smudging. Warm air speeds up the drying process, allowing new impressions to be layered safely and cleanly. We work in climates that are consistently 70°F (21°C) or warmer, so each impression can set correctly before the next is added. This temperature guideline ensures the artwork remains vibrant, intact, and layered with dignity. Coordinating travel to align with warm, dry conditions adds complexity to the schedule, but it’s essential to preserving the integrity of the artwork.

This project began in 2009 with a simple idea that anyone, regardless of status or background, deserves to be part of something lasting. A hand impression makes that possible, no training, no titles, just presence, marked in color. For many participants, especially in underserved communities, this invitation brings joy, pride, and visibility. One participant said, “I never thought I would be in a museum.” The artist also wanted to preserve memory. Like ancient cave paintings, these panels let people leave a trace. We document names and photos so future generations can say they were here. They mattered. Hand impressions speak of equality, beauty, and the quiet power of lives often overlooked.

Each person is greeted, and the project is explained. After giving consent, they sanitize their hands. A volunteer applies non-toxic paint and gently guides them to place their hand or finger on the flag panel. Simultaneously, another volunteer takes the participant’s name, a photographer captures their portrait, and a videographer documents the moment. Afterward, a volunteer helps clean their hand and thanks them for their time. The entire process is guided, respectful, and joyful.

The process is far from simple.

Each flag is a deeply collaborative, multi-layered production. The artist photographs, films, and documents every hand impression, each paired with the participant’s name and archived for historical preservation. Every panel must be dried, transported from city to city, shipped internationally, and stored securely.

To preserve the dignity and artistic quality of the work, we:

● Coordinate international shipments of panels and supplies

● Source paint and other materials locally when possible, not only to reduce costs and customs delays, but to involve local communities more deeply in the making of the artwork.

● Rely on in-kind support from individuals, airlines, universities, local

businesses, paint manufacturers, and embassies

● Invite media outlets, production teams, and hotels to partner with us as sponsors

We keep costs low by inviting many hands to share in the work, welcoming local partners to contribute their time, services, and expertise. Together, we can create something lasting on a modest budget, an artwork that belongs to everyone.

The artist receives no salary and lives with personal austerity, allowing donated funds to directly support the field teams and creation of the artwork.

Some of the ongoing costs include:

● Flights, lodging, and local transport for team members

● Paints, panels, disinfectants, and hand-washing supplies

● Cameras, editing tools, and field documentation

● Paid local coordinators, interpreters, and assistants

● Supervision of student volunteers (from local universities) to help archive names and photographs

● Website maintenance, content editing, and daily updates from our home office

● Insurance, permits, and international shipping for secure archival storage

Impressions of Humanity is committed to eventually gathering artwork in all 193 UN member states, and this current phase focuses on 16 countries across Asia and the Gulf. While our goal is global inclusion, we phase our travel based on artistic readiness, logistical feasibility, and climate suitability. Field sites, in each country, are selected for their diversity, cultural vibrancy, and the ability to engage local communities in both urban and regional areas. We also consider weather conditions (warm, dry months are necessary for the artwork to dry properly), visa accessibility, and local safety. Our approach is rooted in humility and observation; each country adds another piece to this evolving portrait of humanity.

Yes, every photo on our website and social media features real participants from the Impressions of Humanity project. These individuals volunteered to be part of the artwork and gave their consent to be photographed and included in our public storytelling. Their choice to participate is a testament to the value they place on this project.

Rest assured, we do not use stock images or actors. Every face, gesture, and hand impression you see belongs to someone who made a mark on a national panel, whether they were a child, elder, student, laborer, or, occasionally, a celebrity.

Each image is a reflection of human dignity, and together, participants show that art belongs to all of us, no matter our fame, background, or circumstance.

We never pressure anyone to take part. All participation is voluntary and accompanied by a clear explanation and consent. Our team works with cultural humility and respect, partnering with local leaders to ensure the process is safe, dignified, and aligned with community values.

Impressions of Humanity began in 2009 as a self-funded art initiative. For over a decade, the artist personally financed the creation of the artwork. With limited resources, he gathered tens of thousands of hand impressions, always committed to making the artwork accessible to all, regardless of wealth or status.

In 2023, a small group of us who deeply believed in the mission joined together to support and formalize the project. Together, we helped establish the nonprofit so the project could grow and serve even more people. The artist received notice from the IRS in January 2025, officially recognizing Impressions of Humanity, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Now, with nonprofit status, we can accept tax-deductible donations and grants, ensuring that this global artwork can continue to grow, reach more countries, and be preserved for generations to come.

Impressions of Humanity is not just symbolic. Every hand impression is real. Every person is named, photographed, and included. It’s both an artwork and a human archive showing who was here, and how we’re all connected across time and place.