VOICES: Art is Refuge

Installation celebrating the creative resilience of Bristol based artists who are migrants and refugees, opening soon in central Bristol.

“When I don’t have the words to tell you how I feel, I can craft them. That is why art is so important to me. It gives me a voice.” Maria Faiomy, Visual Artist

Art is refuge. We are all born artists. This autumn, we will celebrate the work and creative resilience of Bristol based artists who are migrants and refugees in the UK. The travelling VOICES Installation will open its doors in the M Shed Studio on the eve of Friday the 28th of October and be open for visitors all weekend 29th-30th October. 

The installation will move on to the Galleries in November for the whole month (open Fridays and Saturdays), before moving on to selected community venues in January 2023. Schools workshops will run in the Galleries on other days for young people aged 9-14.

Like migration, arts and crafts are as old as humanity; they transcend language and cultural barriers, opening doors to new possibilities for sharing and expression. Join us to celebrate thousands of artists who leave their home each year in pursuit of freedom. Their routes are varied and experiences are diverse but they all have one thing in common: their refuge in art.

Visit this inspiring work of local artists from across the globe: Watch their stories, listen to their music, view their visual arts and add to a collaborative art piece or take part in their workshops to strengthen your own resilience. The installation is free to visit, suitable for all ages, and accessible, and no booking is required.

M Shed: Saturday 29 October – Sunday 30 October

The Galleries: Fridays and Saturdays through November

More information of this exhibition

This installation is made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund.