Lucid Borders: artistic dialogues around migration and alienation in the MA Curating 2023 exhibition

The students who are curating the Lucid Borders exhibition at Art Exchange as part of their MA Curating Masters with the School of Philosophy and Art History at the University of Essex talk candidly about their shared experiences as migrants and how this became central to choosing the theme for their end of year show.

Lucid Borders

- Three of our MA Curating 2023 students, (from left to right): Adhithi Ravikumar, Santiago Valencia Parra, and Cynthia Iruobe. Not pictured: Dongxian Zhang, Olatoye Salawudeen, Konstantinos Sfikas, Jingyi Chen, and Rabia Perwaiz.

As a group representing different countries across Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe, we realised it would be difficult to find common ground and collaborate on an exhibition for our MA in Curating. Our identities, experiences, and expectations are all clearly defined by where we come from. We had a question to answer: how could we identify a shared theme that spoke to each of us as loudly?

We did, however, share the experience of migrating to a new country. We discovered that our differences, as well as the concept of "home" that each of us possessed, were what brought us together. The move to the UK meant moving away from our families, discovering an unfamiliar culture, embracing a new language, and, most crucially, completing a slew of bureaucratic procedures in order to become "legal individuals". These instances of rupture and isolation from home left an imprint on us. We learned to be more critical of our own cultures and traditions, while synchronously attempting to use that as a starting point for the theme of our exhibition.

We acknowledge that migration is a complicated social phenomenon that remains a highly contentious matter, with vigorous discussions centred on issues such as immigration regulations, border control, and human rights. Lucid Borders arose as an opportunity not just to speak about our experiences, but also to study how contemporary artists are discussing migration and alienation in their own histories. As a result, we produced an exhibition that delves into the complexity and myriads of acquaintances that congregate around these varied issues.

Choosing artists who are migrants

Putting together the exhibition, we knew that it was of utmost importance to feature artists who are migrants themselves because they are crucial in bringing a unique and invaluable perspective to the works. As artists who have personally experienced migration, they have an intimate understanding of the emotional, psychological, and cultural complexities involved in leaving one's homeland and adapting to a new place. This perspective allows them to create works that are more authentic, nuanced, and relatable to audiences.

We also realised that showcasing migrant artists in the exhibition was the best way to gain a deeper understanding of the personal stories, struggles, and triumphs of migrants, and the impact of migration on societies around the world. Additionally, we also wanted to show how migrant artists can provide a platform for underrepresented voices in the art world and highlight the contributions that migrants make to the creative landscape of their new homes.

Overall, we knew that featuring artists who are migrants would be imperative for creating a more accurate and meaningful representation of migration, promoting diversity and inclusion in the art world, and fostering greater empathy and understanding among audiences about how migration, identity and alienation are inextricably intertwined.

The artists and the artworks

The exhibition is a collection of nine works by eight different artists from all over the world. The artists, Mustafa Boğa, Kneed (Ishwari Bhalerao and Leonie Rousham), Ken Nwadiogbu, Olgaç Bozalp, Daniel Greenfield-Campoverde, Meriç Algün and Annie Marie Akussah work on pieces that reflect their personal relationships with migration.

Through a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and video, the exhibition captures the emotions, struggles, and triumphs of the migrant artists from around the world. Some works depict the physical challenges of the journey, such as crossing treacherous waters or navigating hostile terrain. Others explore the psychological toll of leaving behind loved ones and familiar surroundings. Still, others highlight the contributions that migrants have made to their new homes and the richness that diversity brings to society.

Beyond the borders of the gallery

Lucid Borders is a testament to the resilience and journey of migrants and a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion in a world that is often divided by borders and barriers. This is not only a gallery-only display. The constant coverage on migration demonstrates the need for a critical analysis and contextualisation of the migrant number. Thus, it is our aim that Lucid Borders will develop into a forum for thought provoking discussion on the issues of alienation, migration, and their representation in art.

Lucid Borders opens on Friday 28 April, with a Launch Party on 27 April, both in Art Exchange. The exhibition will run until Friday 2 June and will be complemented by a public programme of artist talks and workshops.