Document ActionsWomen in ArtCIP
Community Integration partnership was formed to address the specific gap in service provision for refugee women.
9 George Road    This Project delivered a series of art workshops for women from Asylum backgrounds to work collaboratively with host community women. The Project explored techniques such as automata and contemporary textile design and furniture design, each delivered by a specialist artist within each field. The Project began with women making colourful ceramic and metal seeds and flowers, suggesting themes of growth and new beginnings. The women then went on to learn new fabric collage techniques and created images of fruit, flowers and seeds as well as portraits of themselves and their children, communicating their own sense of identity. They then went on create a series of stools that connect together as a group. The women used embroidery, transfers and woodworking techniques to decorate the surface. As the Project developed, rolling from phase to phase, the participants benefited more and more. Many participants were able to create social networks and make friends, as well as build confidence and self esteem. A number of women who learned the techniques quickly, supported new participants in creating their pieces and sharing their skills with others. The work produced has been exhibited at many local and national exhibitions, allowing CIP to take the work to a wider audience and create a positive image of the work and Asylum Seekers. The most visited exhibition was Origin Crafts Fair in London, which has approximately 25,000 visitors every year. The work produced was very unique, resulting in Origin allowing a Community Organisation to exhibit at the Fair for the very first time. A Project participant said “It makes me very happy, seeing my work on display with the work of other artists. I never thought this would ever happen”. Other exhibitions venues included the Mailbox, St Martin's Church and numerous community locations across Birmingham. Community workshops were held at some of the exhibitions where a small number of project participants went on to support the lead artist in delivering. The workshops were attended by host communities and participants were able to share the skills they have learned over the course of the project. The project was attended by over 20 women, of whom four went on to deliver community Art workshops. The project participants have expressed a strong interest in continuing to access workshops and classes to pursue this further. The Project has gained interest from other arts organisations who are interested in exploring techniques and methods used to engage women and people who are usually disengaged with art activities. CIP is very pleased with the success of this project and hopes to continue delivering art projects in the future. For more information please call CIP on 0121 454 9000. Download an exhibition catalogue for more photos of the exhibits (PDF file 2.1MB) |
© ASPIRE 2007
