Not Just A Refugee exhibition

This exhibition by Adiam Yemane offers inspiring stories of newcomers to the UK claiming asylum or as refugees. It celebrates the lives of people who have worked hard to fulfil their potential.

In celebration of Refugee Week 2019, this exhibition offers inspiring stories of newcomers who entered the UK claiming asylum or as refugees. It celebrates the lives of people who have worked hard to fulfil their potential and despite, in many cases experiencing overwhelming odds, succeed.

The realities of life in their destination can often belie expectations – having to start all over again without many of the privileges they had in their origin country. Sometimes this means working three times harder than someone who has had the privilege of being from here or sacrificing their identity to fit in with the welcoming society, that's not always hospitable and accepting of other cultures.

This exhibition shares the stories of people, who after ten years or more of arriving in the UK are making positive contributions to communities across London and in wider society as social activists, change agents and community leaders. They are role models to all who encounter them and their work.

The photographs and stories seek to interrupt our thinking about refugees and asylum seekers – to challenge our stereotypes and widely held assumptions that they are an inevitable cost or even burden to society. We know that their contributions are often overlooked, discounted or downplayed.

Start Date: June 26, 2019.

Category: Arts | Visual Arts | Galleries / Art.

Artist / Speaker: Adiam Yemane.