RECOVERED HISTORIES. AN ART COUNCIL ENGLAND FUNDED PROJECT MAY TO SEPTEMBER 2019

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RECOVERED HISTORIES - An Art Project.
Artist George Sfougaras
Funded by Arts Council England, Lottery Fund. 
Partners: ArtReach, Leicester Print Workshop, Leicester Cathedral, New Walk Museum, National Portrait Gallery, ROOTS (City of Sanctuary Volunteers/participants) 

Focus 

 'Recovered Histories' comments on shared human history, addressing change and reconciliation.  Layers of meaning are created through the symbolic use of pattern and light, combined with artwork and archive material from migrant families. 

 Using the artist's background, alongside volunteers, including Bishop Guli Francis Dehqani, herself an Iranian refugee, George Sfougaras will further develop his artistic practice, create new partnerships and give voice to refugees’ experiences. The artwork will reach out to audiences, encouraging discussions, creating images that comment on current and past migrations.

 Exhibition

 An exhibition of new prints and mixed media works will be the artistic outcomes extending the artist's work into new print methods combined with light and film.   Some new works will be in augmented by commissioned films by filmmaker Kate Drucquer and animated by lighting engineer Paul Rudman. The original works will be exhibited in the Lightbox Gallery, Leicester, with the official opening on the 10th August 2019,  (6.00- 8.00 pm) coinciding with Journeys Festival International, which takes place from the 10th to the 30th of August. 

 Public work

 Larger copies of the exhibition pieces will be installed in various public spaces across Leicester, bringing art to new audiences and informing new conversations on migration and change. Some of the locations are Leicester Cathedral, Leicester Print Workshop, and the Curve Theatre. In some of the new works lighting and film recount the lives, histories, and hopes of people who have experienced enforced relocation in search of safety.

 Other Partnerships and related projects brokered by ArtReach 
Connected to the Recovered Histories Project:

Work  with refugee volunteers has contributed to the National Portrait Gallery's 'Coming Home' project which opened on the 7th June, resulting in a parallel exhibition alongside the portrait of King Richard III. Six banners are now installed at New Walk Museum Leicester and will in time move on to Leicester Cathedral, the final resting place of King Richard III. 

 Specifically for Refugee Week 17th to 23rd June 2019:
Working alongside activist, volunteer, and teacher Emma McNamara-Horspool,  and commissioned by Leicester University of Sanctuary George Sfougaras will print kites, cards, mobiles, and copies of a storybook under the title 'Birds of Hope'. These works will travel with Emma in July 2019 to Vial Centre on Chios to bring hope to the young children in the camp. (Setting up 17th, and workshop on the 18th June 2019. )
Legacy Outcomes 
Legacy outcomes of the project will be a mobile printing resource, to be used by refugees as a skills training facility and to create materials supporting the work of the City of Sanctuary charity. 

 An academic paper by George Sfougaras on ethical engagement with vulnerable participants will be published later in the year.

 Workshops

 Alongside the display of the works, talks, workshops using George's screens and printing plates will take place as follows:
  • 10 August (LPW) - Easy Saturday event at the LCB Depot (family fun day) and runs from 12-4pm. This is acting as the 'launch' of Journeys Festival International and is the first public day of the Recovered Histories exhibition the Lightbox Gallery. 
  • 15 August (George Sfougaras) - New Walk Museum 'Journeys through the Museum' from 11am-3.30pm - take over of the museum by Journeys Festival International.
  • 16 August (LPW) - Journeys Live - Jubilee Square - main festival day for Journeys Festival International with live music, food and workshops in Jubilee Square from 4-8pm 
  • 18 August (LPW / George Sfougaras) - at LPW - 11.00 am 2.00 pm.
Other - 
Storytelling workshops led by Hema Acharia will accompany some of the banners in the library spaces, details of times and dates to follow. 

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