City Arts is proud to host an exhibition by Refugee Roots for Refugee Week 2022. It celebrates the hope felt in art workshops run by the charity, and the healing creativity can nurture.
Refugees and asylum seekers have joined workshops led by artists Antonietta Sacco and Ismail Khokon. The twice weekly sessions explore clay sculpture, collage, photography and printmaking. They offer participants space for creative play, without fear of failure. Attendees have used their creativity for self-reflection. They’ve considered the world around them and the future. Over time the group have connected with each other. Thinking about healing and wellbeing, they’ve begun to see the things they have in common.
The exhibition is curated by Diana Ali, star mentor on BBC1’s Big Painting Challenge. Diana explains:
It is an honour to be asked to curate such diverse artworks, by people with such diverse backgrounds. Individual creativity has been demonstrated in a shared space where different fragments of culture come together without barriers of land, language, race or religion. We have put differences aside to curate an exhibition which celebrates asylum seekers and refugees. We have a universal language in creativity where everyone has an equal voice to be able to be part of a positive community and to co-exist.
Refugee Roots would like to thank:
- Arts Council England for funding the project
- City Arts and New Art Exchange for their continued support
About Refugee Roots
Refugee Roots is a Christian charity that helps asylum seekers and refugees build relationships and navigate the complexities of a new life in the UK.
Refugee Roots welcomes everyone. They value each person and their culture. They embrace equality and diversity while empowering and supporting those that need it most.
The charity’s initiatives include:
- befriending
- accompanying asylum seekers to appointments
- information, advice and guidance
- supportive groups and activities, for example free English conversation classes
Refugee Roots aims to be a safe place for those seeking refuge and protection to feel welcomed and valued, finding support to rebuild their lives with dignity.
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