Art By Refugees Shows Us The Journey Of Surviving To Survive

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 131 months ago

Last Updated 21 November 2013

Art By Refugees Shows Us The Journey Of Surviving To Survive
Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Hadi, Zehedon - The Cage. Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Hadi, Zehedon - The Cage. Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Cedoux, My African Souvenirs. Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Cedoux, My African Souvenirs. Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Edwige, His Real Face. Photo: Miriam Nabarro
Edwige, His Real Face. Photo: Miriam Nabarro

The life of a refugee is often filled with physical and psychological hardship, and even when they find a place where they are free from persecution often poverty and homelessness become the new barriers to overcome.

One way refugees can express themselves and focus their minds is through art, and this exhibition features the artworks of young adult refugees from as diverse locations as Sri Lanka and Ivory Coast. They have often had to use whatever material is at hand to create their works, from Andre who makes cars out of old tins of cooking oil to Lily who has made a line of clothing from recycled materials.

This 'found materials' style has resulted in diverse works including jewellery, paintings and masks. Many of these artists are coming to terms with their pasts, like the Iranian refugee who has created a sculpture of a cell where prisoners are hung by a noose, while others paint of a path leading them away to a better place.

This exhibition is a culmination of the work the Refugee Council has been doing as part of their Young Adults in Transition project and should make for a diverse and emotionally charged exhibition.

The Journey of Surviving to Survive is on at Saatchi Gallery, King's Road, SW3 4RY until 9 December. Entrance is free.