The Changes
Young refugees tell their stories through photographic artworks
Manchester’s not “home” yet. I don’t know – it might be, one day.
Young refugees worked with contemporary photographic artist Vik and used the work of Gwon Osang for inspiration, to create their own photographic artworks. Those involved learnt about photographic techniques and explored ideas about body language, facial expression and gesture. They took to the streets of Manchester with cameras; photographing people and places. They investigated the differences between their home countries and Manchester, the city that has become their new home. The results of this project were exhibited at the gallery from 20 June to 21 September 2008.
We are a group of young students, and we are also refugees.
We disappeared from our own lands, and reappeared in Manchester.
The journey in between was a secret.
Our artwork is about life.
It’s about difference: different people, different cultures,
different gestures, the journey to England and to Manchester.
It’s about the weather and the difference
between the weather here and the weather at home.
It’s about places, landscapes, houses
“I don’t like the houses here, always just the same house”.
And it’s about home.
We wanted to show the differences between here
and the places we come from – religion, people and language.
We were interested to do this because people don’t know.
It’s interesting to be an artist – yes, we do feel like artists now!
We were inspired by Gwon Osang’s work.
It made us think about gestures and who we are,
And we found out that photos don’t have to be flat!
Artworks were created by Dadine, Daniel, Diane, Elias, Filomon, Ibrahim and Natsinet.
Project partners: CAFRASS (Children and Families Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service) Community Arts North West.
Funding: Working Neighbourhood Fund, CAFRASS, Community Arts North West.
