HOST - Hundreds Of Small Tails
Create a cosy environment and host Hundreds Of Small Tails sculpted by people who are seeking refuge in the UK. For the duration of the Triennial, we are inviting local people to host mini sculptures on windows that look out into a street.
About Art Refuge
Art Refuge (registered charity 1114353) uses art and art therapy to support the mental health and well-being of people displaced due to conflict, persecution and poverty, both in the UK and internationally. It carries out its work through socially engaged art, art therapy, training and education, as well as undertaking research and public awareness raising. The activities are delivered by a team of experienced art therapists, and visual artists with lived experience as refugees, and currently take place in Paris, Kent, London, Bristol and online.
From 2015 until the start of the Covid19 pandemic and the first UK lockdown in mid March 2020, Art Refuge supported the delivery of essential psychological services for people displaced in Calais in northern France through trauma-informed arts-based support. Travelling regularly from the UK, Art Refuge was unique in offering psychological support to all people, regardless of ethnicity, culture, gender or age. The work took place in partnership with Médecins du Monde, Secours Catholique and the Maria Skobtsova Safe House. One of the tools - The Community Table - evolved out of practice in these spaces and has been adapted for other settings, including online.
Since 2021, Art Refuge has turned its attention to the UK-side of the English Channel where the team has set up The Community Table in various settings in Folkestone, largely supporting men who are newly arrived to the UK, many housed in the Napier Barracks and accessing community-based support. Art Refuge has also delivered trainings in key aspects of psychosocial work for frontline workers. Collaboration with local artists, poets, photographers, activists and volunteers is integral to the work which is funded through kind donations from the public and small trusts. Developing a new relationship with Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) is leading to a parallel project which includes photographic workshops and walks led by artist Aida Silvestri.
