Tag: Refugee

4341. Greenbank (35)

So far, this year has been a good one for Billy, with her joint exhibition at the Centrespace gallery, and a series of inspirational pieces, such as this recent storyboard piece at Greenbank.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

The cartoon-style storyboard is split into four segments with the narrative saying ‘I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you, I throw up’. My reading of the piece is that is is a criticism of our Government and Boris Johnson in particular at the refugee fiasco and National embarrassment brought upon us by their hostile approach to people in need.

The piece is beautifully illustrated, I love the world maps on the girl’s t-shirt, and other details like that, cleverly presented in her naive style. A really great piece from an artist whose work I am really enjoying right now.

Unwelcome

.

Shame of a nation

where process trumps compassion

you are not welcome

.

by Scooj

* I am utterly disgusted by and ashamed of our government and the disgraceful way they have conducted themselves with the visa system for Ukrainian refugees. As a UK citizen I feel tarnished with their appalling indifference and lack of urgency for a European crisis. They do not speak for me or reflect my views.

Brexit was meant to free us from bureaucratic processes and allow us to be fleet of foot. Hah! Just like everything else to do with Brexit, it is a myth. The conservatives are playing to the nationalist sentiment in their party and voters, who don’t want any kind of immigration. It is disgusting. The sooner we have a more compassionate and honest government the better.

I am so ashamed to be British.

797. Upfest 2016 (128)

This piece was one of the most mysterious and moving of the whole festival. It depicts, in a stained glass window style, a mother and child wrapped in a blanket. On first glance it looks like a Virgin Mary and Jesus depiction, and the mother has a halo effect around her head. Look closer and for a little longer and the horror of the image becomes clear. This is a contemporary study of the terrible refugee crisis of people from many of the world’s most troubled regions desperately crossing the Mediterranean Sea to get to mainland Europe.

Unknown artist, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Unknown artist, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

The child is not dressed in swaddling clothes as one so young should be, but strapped into a life jacket and the pair of them are enveloped in a silver sheet to keep them warm. This is both distressing and compelling, and pretty much my favourite piece of the whole festival. One big hitch…The picture was not there on the second day, and I never got to find out who it was by. I scoured the Interweb but drew a blank. If anyone might know, I’d love to find out. I am still really moved by this piece. Brilliant. Bravo.

Refugees

Mannequins, refugees, haiku
Mannequins, refugees, haiku

Abused, abandoned,

unloved, forgotten, unseen;

inconvenient.

 

by Scooj