Exhibition celebrating stories of refugee women who have made UK home opens at the Herbert
20 June 2024
In a poignant tribute to Refugee Week, the upcoming Voices Unveiled exhibition will open at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum on Wednesday 19 June at 12 PM, showcasing the extraordinary stories of refugee women who have made the UK their home.
Voices Unveiled is a stirring portrait exhibition that shines a light on the resilience and courage of refugee women. Through evocative images and personal narratives, the exhibition seeks to foster empathy and compassion for those who have faced the immense challenges of starting anew in a foreign land.
Oscar, the exhibition’s creative force, draws inspiration from his own experiences growing up in a refugee family. Quoting Malala Yousafzai, he reflects, “A home is where you feel loved, safe and cherished.
“For me, home has been anywhere I find safety, acceptance, and belonging. Most of my life has not been my choosing. I was born into a refugee family, and my home country was not my native motherland. This year’s theme for Refugee Week is ‘Our Home.’ My goal with this exhibition is to help us all to extend grace, compassion, and love towards those among us who are trying to find home in a foreign land.”
The exhibition is more than just a display of photographs; it’s a powerful narrative that captures the human spirit’s capacity for endurance and hope. Each portrait is accompanied by the personal story of the woman featured, offering a glimpse into her journey and the profound strength required to build a new life.
In addition to the portraits, Voices Unveiled will include workshops and talks designed to deepen community understanding of the refugee experience. These sessions aim to provide a platform for dialogue and reflection, encouraging visitors to engage with the stories and the broader themes of home and belonging.
Indy Donald, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Herbert, said: "We're really proud and excited to be welcoming this important collection to our venue.
"This exhibition is part of my aim to amplify the voices of Coventry, a City of Sanctuary. Ensuring representation of the city's diversity remains at the core of the Herbert's community engagement efforts.
"Additionally, Oscar’s collaboration with community groups has empowered individuals to tell their stories of home.
"While celebrating Refugee Week, Voices Unveiled serves as a reminder that Refugee Week extends throughout the year, highlighting the many contributions that migrants make to the cities they now call home."
The opening event on 19 June promises to be a heartfelt celebration of these women’s contributions to their communities and a call for greater empathy towards refugees. As the exhibition transitions to the Chapel of Unity, it continues to remind us of the diverse definitions of “home” and the common humanity that binds us all.
The exhibition will run at the Herbert until 29 June before relocating to the Chapel of Unity at the Cathedral from 1st July to 7th July.