Iranian Diaspora: Stories of Sanctuary and Solidarity

About

This exhibition, which began as a creative engagement forming an integral part of a much wider project initiated by UCL researcher, Dr. Roghieh Dehghan Zaklaki for her doctoral research centring on the mental health of Iranian migrants, refugees and torture survivors in the UK, aims to foster solidarity with traumatised Iranian refugees by reducing stigmas surrounding mental health and refugee status within the Iranian diaspora and beyond. The artworks presented are all related to migration, displacement, and the many branches stemming from these, as well as on solidarity, that all-important and vital concept and feeling.

Although the project’s main objectives are to draw attention to the plight of Iranian refugees in particular, it also indirectly addresses the plight of all refugees in general, including the broader aspects of what that term embodies on a human scale.

The exhibition was conceived as a neutral creative atmosphere where the Iranian diaspora in London and beyond can find a space of solidarity where to interact in harmony, regardless of any creed, simply as human beings sharing similar experiences in a foreign land, and hopefully to ignite the flame of a potential discussion among them to reach a common purpose along common grounds. 

The project and exhibition are funded by the Wellcome Trust and the exhibition is generously supported by the Art's Council's Lottery Fund. 

Please note that the Private View will be held on Friday 29th March 2024 and is by inviation only.