Calais, January 17th 2025
It was bitterly cold in Calais where we spent the day. Night shelters are open during this cold weather period meaning that the @calais.exilessc day centre was a little less busy than it can be at this time of year. On arrival, we heard about various current campaigns in relation to supporting people on the move in the area.
Art Refuge was greeted by ten volunteers and staff who joined our skills-sharing session focusing on art materials in this border context. Two volunteers who we have worked alongside for several years used the materials to make artworks relevant o their own cultures of French and Italian, making the artwork their own. We were touched that the materials we offer lend themselves to meaning making across cultures.
Today we were accompanied by Chris Wood, Chair of Trustees and UK art therapist and academic. Together we visited the vast Calais beach and the dense fields of rocks designed to prevent refugees from sleeping in the town centre, in turn helping us re/orientate before settling for the afternoon session in the day centre.
Mostly young Sudanese men joined the table, enjoying a bit more spaciousness with fewer people. Chris and three young men in turn sat with a little book on migration, turning page by page. There were poems in which phrases about hope and staying strong resonated with two of them. Another poem was about birds easily passing borders - and there was gentle humour in its reading, alongside absorption in the relational process of trying to understand words in a small English book.
A little bit of time with another more senior person, and sharing of attention felt precious Because of language challenges, more attention was needed both ways, making for a convivial atmosphere alongside knitting, old black and white travel photographs, drawing and modelling. Plasticine pots and pans were offered up from another table, wool was playfully ravelled and unravelled. A little bit of absorbing time shared.
Words by Miriam Usiskin, Bobby Lloyd & Chris Wood.
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