Presented as part of Horizons Festival, this series of artworks are a creative exploration of the Horizons Festival 2024 theme ‘Our Planet Our Home,’ by refugee and local children and adults brought together by Kurdish – led cultural organisation Culture Bridge.
In February and March, participants worked alongside Kurdish visual artist Amang Mardokhy using ink, charcoal, and paint, to explore their personal perspectives of home, belonging, planet, conflict and sanctuary over five sessions hosted in Hazel Grove, Stockport.
Amang Mardokhy, Culture Bridge artist, says “Our thoughts have become too digital, and our feelings are all on social media. Our children have lost oxygen, soil, water, trees, sky, sun and light. We must find our home and reconnect to the earth, sun and sky to feel alive in this life. Let’s return to nature.”
Our Planet, Our Home underlines the importance of a safe home for everyone. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes and seek sanctuary, this exhibition urges people to rethink attitudes towards their neighbours and offer hospitality, not hostility.
Horizons Festival 2024 programme of newly commissioned theatre, film, visual art, music, and workshops runs at HOME Fri 21 Jun – Sun 23 Jun during national refugee week. For more information visit homemcr.org.
This project was produced by Community Arts Northwest producers Masresha Wondmu and Chinar Najib as part of Horizons Festival Community Programme and was supported by Lankelly Chase and Arts Council England.
Image credit: Shirlaine Forest.