A WORLD IN A SUITCASE
Identity and Belonging
When people arrive in the UK and their English language is limited telling their story in images and words offers a simple, yet powerful way to convey experiences, gives then an opportunity to begin to make sense of their journey so that they can explore what they can become.
PIMLICO OPEN DAY
We have recently experimented with running World in a Suitcase Workshops with an emphasis on Identity and Belonging for recently arrived asylum seekers and refugees (as well as unaccompanied minors). They had arrived with little or no English from every part of the world. Communication was imperative for them to begin to make a life here in the UK.
Creating images using visual cues was a way in for them to tell their stories.
We have recently experimented with running World in a Suitcase Workshops with an emphasis on Identity and Belonging for recently arrived asylum seekers and refugees (as well as unaccompanied minors). They had arrived with little or no English from every part of the world. Communication was imperative for them to begin to make a life here in the UK.
Creating images using visual cues was a way in for them to tell their stories.
Pimlico Open Day. Examples of how a simple image conveys a powerful story
IDENTITY
- WHO YOU ARE or WHO YOU CAN BECOME eg Woman, Boy, Girl, Man, English, Eritrean, Artist, Doctor, Footballer,Business person.
- WHERE YOU LIVE, where you feel SAFE, where you RELAX, where you are HAPPY
- WHERE YOU FEEEL ACCEPTED and CONNECTED
We showed this animation video about Identity and Belonging to some of the group as a stimulus for storytelling and art.
"THE MAN IN THE RED SUIT is true story told to me by Donald. I created the animation and video from drawings and artwork. Where does The Man in The Red Suit belong? Made during Covid -19 pandemic. 2020/21," Myrna Shoa
The Man In The Red Suit arrives in London. He does not know anyone.
How did he make a life in London? What is that like to be in a strange place and not know anyone? In Nigeria he was seen as a Man. In London he was seen as a Black Man. Why is that? Why was he picked on? He went back after 35 years.
What happened when he went back to Nigeria? What will it be like going back to a place after a long time? Where is Home for him? Where does he Belong? |
Workshops we can offer - a sample
(C)