Date/Time
Date(s) - 16/06/2014 - 22/06/2014
All Day
Location
Undegun
Categories No Categories
In June 2013, for Refugee Week, local artist and photographer Sue McGrane took photographs of peoples’ hands holding an object that was precious to them. The people who agreed to bring an object, have their hands photographed and tell their story were local refugee and asylum seekers. The objects included a handmade ladies suit, handmade pastries, children, somebody’s hair, a bag that was a present from a sister and many others.
Each person was also asked why the object is important to them. One photograph shows a pair of empty hands and the gentleman said: “because this is what I had left, after leaving my country”.
The photographs hint at the many tragic, often brutal, circumstances that people faced before fleeing their homes and countries. Followed by often long, arduous journeys, before seeking refuge and asylum in other countries, including the UK.
The images now make up a thought provoking and moving high quality exhibition that helps to dispel myths and misconceptions about refugee and asylum seekers in the UK. Instead showing how people have risked much and possibly lost everything, in a bid for survival. And how people may have just a few meagre possessions that they now hold so dear, as they try to rebuild their lives.
This work has been a collaboration between Wrexham County Borough Council’s Community Cohesion team and Oriel Wrecsam gallery. With many thanks to the artist Sue McGrane and the refugees and asylum seekers that gave their time and stories
