Preview Refugee Week 2010 Exhibitions
Three exhibitions of refugee artwork breaks down barriers during Refugee Week 2010
Work from Hurdles Home
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Three exhibitions of artwork inspired by the refugee experience will be on show in Leeds in the coming month, as part of Refugee Week 2010.
Hurdles Homes, Far From Home and Something I Want You to Know each explore the lives, dreams and experiences of refugees living in Leeds – and give a unique glimpse into what the realities of seeking asylum in the UK is really like.
“This is a rare opportunity for people to see artwork by people from across the world who have lived through exceptional circumstances,” say Chris Verney, project co-ordinator at Integrate, a Leeds-based asylum organisation who helped organise the exhibitions with the help of artist, Rachel Slee.
“Refugees too often get dismissed as people who are here to steal jobs or bleed the economy – and this is the chance to show that they are unique, talented human beings living in extraordinary times,” he added.
Hurdles Home is a series of 10 artworks made by local school children. The work responds to talks they received from refugees and local organisations that support people who come to the UK.
The pupils from Raynville Primary School and City of Leeds High School heard first-hand accounts of the difficulties faced on a daily basis by refugees. They also listened to speakers from local organisations that support refugees and help make their transition into life in the UK as trauma-free as possible. The pupils then produced artwork reacting to what they heard and summarising the work of each organisation.
The paintings will be displayed alongside information about asylum in the UK at the Leeds City Museum, The Headrow, from 18 to 20 June.
Far From Home is a collection of inspiring and thought-provoking work by three refugee artists living in Leeds.
All of them came to the UK under difficult circumstances: Siamak Faroutan and Mahsa Rahbari arrived in the UK from Iran and Dereje Kebede came from Ethiopia. Their work depicts their ideas, opinions and feelings and explores the difficult political situations they faced in their countries.
Each of the refugees were artists in their home countries – and since coming to the UK have studied at Leeds College of Art.
Far From Home will be held at Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, LS3 1AD from the 14 to 20 June.
Something I Want You to Know is an exhibition showcasing the work of people seeking asylum in West Leeds. The work explores their hopes, dreams and fears of refugees aged between six and 50 years old.
The artists, having been forced away from their homes and livelihoods, are now living with an uncertain future, in a foreign land, where new languages, new customs, and a lack of money or support make life very difficult. This exhibition invites you to explore a different world seen through the eyes of your new neighbours.
Something I Want You to Know will be held at Swarthmore Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, LS3 1AD from 21 June until 4 July 2010.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor James McKenna, turned up to open the exhibitions. He said: “This fascinating exhibition shows the scale of the issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees. Seeing paintings by local children, about the work that local organisations do to help, puts the situation in perspective. It is good to see so many different groups working alongside each other towards the same aim.”
18-20 June, Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, LS2 8BH, 0113 224 3732, free entry, www.leeds.gov.uk/citymuseum
14 June – 4 July, Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, LS3 1AD, 0113 243 2210, free entry, www.swarthmore.org.uk
Posted on Thursday 17th June 2010
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