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Harbour building hosts asylum-seekers' exhibition

August 26th, 2016 7:15 AM

By Southern Star Team

The work has been created by asylum seekers from Bangladesh, India, South Africa and Somalia.

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A new exhibition by members of West Cork’s asylum-seeking community in Clonakilty goes on show next week at the Waiting Room at Baltimore’s harbour master’s building.

A new exhibition by members of West Cork’s asylum-seeking community in Clonakilty goes on show next week at the Waiting Room at Baltimore’s harbour master’s building.

Those who have worked on the exhibition include women from Bangladesh, India, South Africa and Somalia. 

In The Betweens We Wait is a reflection on life in a Direct Provision Centre in Ireland today. It takes the form of a multi-disciplinary, multi-sensory art exhibition and installation by members of West Cork’s Asylum Seeking community and will inhabit The Waiting Room of the Baltimore harbour building. The exhibition will open at 12pm on Saturday August 27th and run until 6pm on Sunday 28th. 

In The Betweens We Wait is the result of a number of months of work by women based at Clonakilty’s Direct Provision Centre, the Clonakilty Lodge. In response to the theme of ‘waiting’, the group have created a series of intricate and varied textile pieces which will be on display, along with photographs and a beautiful and thought-provoking soundscape featuring spoken word and songs.

All of the artistic and creative content comes from the multi-talented members of the Clonakilty Lodge group.  Some of those involved in the exhibition have been waiting for a response to their asylum requests for up to nine years. 

The project hopes to raise awareness of the situation faced by them and others like them across Ireland.  

The project has been facilitated by West Cork artist Anne Scallan, who also helped the women organise their textile pieces, with photography by Michael Holly and sound work facilitated and recorded by Elizabeth Ewing. ‘The Friends of the Clonakilty Asylum Seekers have been immensely supportive throughout,’ said Anne. 

In The Betweens We Wait is part of the ongoing Waiting Room art project by Baltimore artist Sheelagh Broderick, which aims to repurpose public space that had been idle – in this case the new harbour facilities building adjacent to the pier in Baltimore. See sheelaghbroderick.com for further details.

For further information on The Friends of Clonakilty Asylum Seekers email [email protected]

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