Tullamore art exhibition to shine light on refugee experience
A groundbreaking art exhibition which will shine a poignant light on the refugee experience is set to open in Tullamore's Esker Arts Centre later this week.
Windows on Elsewhere: 60 Refugees, 60 Views by internationally acclaimed artist, architect and author, Matteo Pericoli, opens this Thursday, April 10, and runs until Saturday, April 26.
This collection of 60 window view drawings depicts the present window views of sixty persons who were forced to flee their countries. The drawings are accompanied by short texts written by the refugees describing their journey from ‘elsewhere’ taking inspiration from their drawn window view.
On the surface, the drawings simply reveal the view of each refugee framed by their window, but the accompanying words give a glimpse of their past, their experiences, their emotions, and of the people, places, and stories left behind —inevitably blended with a seemingly everlasting, fleeting present.
The works are an Arts for Human Rights project in support of Amnesty International. Arts for Human Rights, which was originally created in 2002 as Art for Amnesty, is an organisation which uses the works of artists to promote universal human rights and help human rights organisations amplify their message.
When asked about Windows on Elsewhere, Founder and Executive Director of the overall project, Bill Shipsey, expressed the hope that the works “will contribute in however small a way to a better understanding of what refugees face and a greater willingness to show generosity.”
The exhibition will be officially opened by Stephen Bowen, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland this Thursday, April 10, at 8pm, in the Croghan Gallery, Esker Arts, High Street, Tullamore.
Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.