Migrant women have created an art exhibition which is being showcased this month in Turner’s House, Twickenham.
The aim of the exhibition is to help migrant women settle into the community, using art to enhance their wellbeing and counteract isolation.
The participants were able to meet other women who share the same experiences as them and take part in 11 workshops held by different artists.
Rita Piglionica, the learning and volunteers officer at Turner’s House, said: “We did workshops with three different artists because they all had very different backgrounds and found they could bring their own experiences to the project.”
The exhibition takes place throughout Turner’s House because the art sessions took place in the house, and the participants noted the importance of the museum.
Piglionica said: “The women said the house felt like a home and that it was a safe place for them.
“A lot of the women who worked with us came from very difficult backgrounds and some of them are from Ukraine and escaped from the war.
“We hope this exhibition sheds light on this community and what these people have gone through.
“Something that came up in the sessions was that there is a lack of activities for the women so having a group in which participants make art together and talk about their experiences is extremely important.”
Befriending is the main aim of Refugees Welcome in Richmond and volunteer befrienders help a refugee family settle into the community and help each family feel safe, comfortable and secure in the UK.
The charity has supported 52 refugees and 10 families from Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria and Yemen have been befriended.
Sasa Marinkov, who has volunteered for Refugees Welcome in Richmond for six years, said: “The participants spoke about the project in such a positive way and to have their work placed in Turner’s House was great.
Marinkov said: “I think the exhibition will feed into the community and hopefully create an invisible network.”
The exhibition, which is part of the Tales and Travels programme, was funded by the Association of Independent Museums and the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Picture credit – Turner’s House Trust
