The power of art at Kakuma refugee camp
Living Nowhere: A unique exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery
Since 2012, a series of workshops initiated by the charity, My Start, at Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya has given young people an outlet for their experiences. Through collage, portraiture, film and print they have expressed themselves, reflecting upon their challenging circumstances. Their stories were shared in 'Living Nowhere', a special exhibtion at the Gallery to coincide with International Refugee Week 2017.
Children at Kakuma and their artwork
Creating a connection between young people
During Refugee week, children from schools in South East London came to see the exhibition and took part in workshops led by art teachers from nearby Dulwich College who had been out to Kakuma and taught young people living there. The young people were encouraged to examine closely and discuss the exhibition and experiences of the young people at Kakuma Refugee Camp. Every young person involved made an individual postcard to send to the young people at Kakuma. The main intention of the workshops was to create an exchange and connection between the two groups and enlighten Western young people about the experiences of refugees.
Exhibition and workshops photo gallery
About Kakuma refugee camp
Kakuma (meaning ‘Nowhere’ in Swahili) lies in the North West border of Kenya. The camp was established in 1991 to give refuge to those fleeing Africa’s longest running civil war in Sudan. It is now home to over 187,000 refugees escaping conflict from South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Somalia. People spend an average of 17 years living in the camp, it is a waiting room where they are detained until moving on with their lives.