Overview
A series of laser-cut aluminium panels, inspired by traditional Polish papercraft, depict the different stages of the family’s difficult journey from home in eastern Poland (now Ukraine), to the Soviet labour camp in Arkhangelsk, and the thousands of miles they travelled as refugees before finally settling in Scotland. The story of Polish diaspora in the Second World War is relatively untold, and the artwork prompts us to also reflect on the contemporary experiences of refugees.
The displays in Kirkcaldy and St Andrews were accompanied by new podcast episodes, which have been downloaded in over 85 countries. A virtual exhibition was also popular with those who could not visit in person, sharing details of the artwork alongside photographs and testimonies.
Image Gallery
Communities and Places
Following the success of the first two exhibitions, the artwork continues to tour to other venues in Scotland. The Visualising War and Peace team have forged new connections with Polish and Ukrainian community groups throughout Scotland, as well as NGOs and local politicians. This has provided new opportunities to share academic research with the wider public, and for mutual learning on the subject of forced migration.
They also partnered with the educational charity Never Such Innocence to run a series of free schools' poetry workshops linked to the exhibition, with some of the students’ poems published online. One of the schools was invited to a high-profile event at Edinburgh Castle, where they shared poems, written in response to Forster’s commssion work, with politicians, military personnel, royalty and celebrities.
Watch Film
Artist Diana Forster discusses the story behind Somewhere to Stay
Find out More
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Dr Alice König, Senior Lecturer, University of St Andrews discusses the creation of this art commission
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Visit the virtual exhibition relating to Somewhere to Stay