Migration Matters Festival Exhibition Launch Event

I was delighted that my Kaleidentity research project portraits were selected to be included in the Migration Matters Festival exhibition in Sheffield. The exhibition launch event (somewhat ironically) took place on 23rd June (the 9th anniversary of the Brexit vote).

I attended the launch event with my Dad, and one of my project participants, Livia Barreira, who is part of the festival team - was also there to speak alongside me about the project.

There was a diverse range of work included in the exhibition, including photography, a patchwork quilt, installations and podcasts - it was really beautiful to explore all these expressive explorations on the topic of migration and I felt privileged to be included in the event.

The event started with an incredible performance by Sheffield One World choir who sang a diverse range of songs in multiple languages.

Me and Livia spoke together, I started by introducing the 'Fragments of Identity' exhibition and explaining the 'Kaleidentity' concept I had been exploring and the co-creation methodology:

"Just like a Kaleidescope toy - the intention behind the portraits is to be a joyous and colourful celebration of the individual, capturing a momentary representation of their complex identity through intersecting fragments of colour, thereby challenging the monolithic and dehumanising labels which are too often attached to migrants and refugees by nationalists, politicians and the media."

I then read quotes from some of the participants interviews before giving the floor to Livia to speak about her personal story in greater depth:

“I have had it since I was tiny at the playground onwards, and I hated people saying, “Go back to your country”. And with time, if you hear something often, it loses its power over you.” - Lora Krasteva

“Pertaining to so many societies makes it extraordinarily difficult to truly belong to any one of them … Kidding myself that I can belong to homogenous national identity has never worked well for me. It feels very freeing to relinquish that pressure... I believe we would all benefit from attempting, as earnestly as possible, to understand the opinions and lived experiences of others, instead of instinctively disputing them.” - Adam Heron

“Each country I’ve been through and each person I’ve interacted with has really shaped my growth and the person I am today. I don't see problems or challenges from just one angle, but I see it from different perspectives, so I can be more creative in finding solutions... I would say my passion is helping people. People that are unrepresented, people under oppression, people who don’t have the knowledge or power to defend themselves, to speak out for themselves, and this is something which I have found very meaningful and rewarding... We need each other to be stronger, and we need to be stronger for each other.” - Motaz Amer

The photographer came up to me afterwards and sid that he couldn't believe I was British because I look "too exotic" - which I took as a compliment! I have been told before that I am "too colourful to be British".