An exhibition showcasing artwork by displaced Syrian artists has opened to visitors at British Council’s headquarters in London, United Kingdom. Called Syria: Third Space, the exhibition highlights Syrian art that demonstrate the roles that artists play in supporting recovery and resilience. It shows how artists can break boundaries, support and unite communities through their practice.
Background
The exhibition is a collection of work highlighting the British Council’s support of displaced Syrian artists. It demonstrates the roles artists play in supporting recovery and resilience. The exhibition also illustrates how artists can break boundaries, support and unite communities through their practice.
Syria: Third Space is part of our ambitious Culture and Development programme called ‘Artists in Recovery’, which was developed in response to the crisis in the Middle East and North Africa region to support displaced artists and Syrian refugee communities and give a voice to those affected by conflict. Through a structured small grants scheme, 78 small grants were given to displaced Syrian artists in more than 10 countries. The exhibition highlights the vital roles artists play as storytellers, conveners, facilitators, spokespeople and the alternative space they provide (Third Space).
Our work in Culture and Development has two aims: the realisation of human rights and freedoms, including diversity and freedom of expression; and the development of creative, open, inclusive societies. We do this through innovative arts and cultural activities that support capacity building, cross-cultural networks and improved wellbeing in two main programme areas: ‘Voices and Spaces’ which focuses on the creation of safe spaces for debate and exchange; and ‘Artists in Recovery’ a programme supporting artists who are working in areas of conflict and upheaval.