Glasgow refugee festival showcases work of displaced artists

The National

2 days ago

The exhibition, entitled 'LIVE IN ART,' is a collaboration between artists from a host of
countries, including Ukraine, Iran, Vietnam, Colombia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
It is being held at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow as part of the Refugee Festival Scotland.
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On display is a mix of multimedia art including a winding table of sculptures, paintings and a striking banner hung over the railing outside, overlooking the Saramago Cafe Bar.
The pieces were created during a two-month creative group residency where artists developed an array of pieces now presented to the public in the Centre for Contemporary Art's Creative Lab room.
Curated by Glasgow artist and activist Syeda Sadaf Zaidi, the exhibition has been designed
around themes of memory and home.
Syeda said: 'As someone navigating the immigrant experience, art has become both a tool and a sanctuary, a way to speak when words fall short. I'm especially passionate about projects that invite participation, exchange and shared ownership. Activism and art aren't separate for me; they're interconnected forms of resistance and hope.'
'As a curator, I wanted the entire exhibition to feel just as honest to give space to artists who are expressing something real, with feeling and courage,' she added.
This piece (untitled), created by Syeda, represents the journey from place to place (Image: Supplied) The paintings on display depict personal stories and many carry themes of migration, heritage and dealing with identity as expatriates.
The exhibition has been opened at the CCA just months after the centre's temporary closure which lasted from December of 2024 until March of this year. The centre has cited a lack of funding as a key reason for the closure.
Syeda is calling for more support describing the centre as 'the best place for artists.'
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She said: 'Organisations like CCA need more funding, and I hope the government will
reconsider any cuts that affect artists and creative spaces. There is so much hidden talent in the city that deserves recognition and support.'
'I'd also like to thank the Scottish Refugee Council for their support. They've played a key role in helping me share my work and be part of this amazing city.'
One artist involved, Linh Nguyen from Vietnam, had her work depicting various places she has lived on display.
She said: 'It's like meditation because I can just lose myself when I am doing it. It's like a
different world where I can just relax and be myself.'
'I love going to Syeda's class at CCA where I just spend a few hours making my art. It definitely feels liberating in a sense. I feel that I have a space to express myself and create something.' Linh added.
Participating artists included Yuliya Shkurina, Tetiana Alandarieva, Inna Sheremeta, Oksana Borysova, Tara Gomary, Diana Pimiento C., Lenur Sufianov, Linh Nguyen, Syed Anwar Arif, Hanna Shamardina and Mahdi Mohammadi.
The LIVE IN ART Exhibition is open from June 10 to 14 and is free to attend.