'Putting Down Roots' is an arts project exploring our relationship with the land & sharing refugees stories of agricultural backgrounds. Prints, photography and film produced through workshops on allotments will be on display, along with stories of land left behind.
'Putting Down Roots' took place over the summer of 2007: a series of arts workshops on allotments in Nottingham. Six artists, including three from a refugee background, facilitated the events. These creative workshops were open to all. We wanted to brought together refugees, gardeners, and people interested in celebrating the land. One of the fundamental aims of the project was to make connections: between people and places.
Many refugees and asylum seekers who end up in Nottingham come here from a completely different background - often from rural cultures. They are met here in the UK by a hostile immigration system, and media stereotyping. We felt that the project provided an opportunity to share many things: the knowledge and experiences people bring with them; a celebration of growing food and connection to the land; and the creative energy of bringing diverse groups together.
The three allotment-based events were very positive and creative days, out of which came many surprises, some beautiful artwork, new connections, and lots of laughter.
Throughout the development of the project we talked to people to gain a deeper understanding of the places they’d left behind, and the realities of life for refugees. These conversations revealed joyful memories as well as hardships and horrors.
The exhibition aims to give a wider picture of agriculture and migration, providing a background to the artwork.
Many refugees and asylum seekers who end up in Nottingham come here from a completely different background - often from rural cultures. They are met here in the UK by a hostile immigration system, and media stereotyping. We felt that the project provided an opportunity to share many things: the knowledge and experiences people bring with them; a celebration of growing food and connection to the land; and the creative energy of bringing diverse groups together.
The three allotment-based events were very positive and creative days, out of which came many surprises, some beautiful artwork, new connections, and lots of laughter.
Throughout the development of the project we talked to people to gain a deeper understanding of the places they’d left behind, and the realities of life for refugees. These conversations revealed joyful memories as well as hardships and horrors.
The exhibition aims to give a wider picture of agriculture and migration, providing a background to the artwork.