TROY — The first thing one notices at the back of Troy's Collar Works Gallery is the woman.

She has long, thick, flowing, red hair, pulled back by a red-and-white polka dot bandana. Her large, blue eyes are set in a warm-toned face, glancing back toward her mane of hair that is adorned with gold coins etched with the Star of David, the crucifix, the Islamic crescent moon and star, and a peace sign. Behind the woman, in the distance, a few luxurious, golden-roofed buildings sit atop a hill. At the bottom of the hill, tents — refugee camps.

Painted by Syrian artist Nada Odeh, "I Am Syria" is the opening piece in Collar Works' new art exhibit "Article 13." The exhibit is named after Article 13 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states "everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State," and "the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country."

"You realize how unappreciative people are of those who have come here more recently," said Sandra Rouse, co-curator of the installation. "We didn't want to approach this from any legal or policy issues, although that's important — we wanted to go directly to the individuals who can express these feelings in their heart, and art is a universal language."

The installation, open until May 12, tells stories of movement and belonging through pieces by six artists originally from Syria, Afghanistan, Puerto Rico and Taiwan, as well as a Jew and an American journalist.

Another painting by Odeh depicts a mother sitting with her two children in a refugee camp, holding a book in front of them. A crown sits atop the mother's head.

"That's how she sees the women in the refugee camps, as princesses," Rouse said. "The abuse they have to face, and protection they want to provide their children, and continuation of their own heritage and culture..."

Niamatullah, who left his home country of Afghanistan at the age of 16, looked at movement and conflict through children. His collection of four drawings depicts intense sadness, resilience, fear and grief on children's faces — which he captured with the intricate markings of a ballpoint pen.

"Through his drawings, Niamat merges ideas and memories of children around the world who suffer in light of war, violence, poverty and discrimination," his artist statement says. "The children he draws... serve as symbols of the difficulties that many children around the world face."

The exhibit is punctuated with three canvases, one of which has rice paper mounted on it, by Yeachin Tsai, who immigrated from China 25 years ago. The canvases are covered with differently- shaped and -colored circles and ovals, some of which gently touch each other, others bleeding their colors into each other.

"These paints are about gentle connections," she wrote in her artist statement. "Community is based on sensitivity and the willingness to feel for each other."

The concept Tsai wrote in her artist statement is the goal of Article 13 installation.

"You read the stories of each of these artists, and realize the breadth of experience," Rouse said. "It helps you open your heart and be more empathetic."

In addition to the artwork, co-curators Rouse and Anne Liljedahl held an opening reception with the artists and a night of poetry and film featuring Syrian artists. The last event of their installation is a forum featuring experts on immigration from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.