To complement the projects in Sudan and Myanmar, where creative practice, inspiration and social transformation are being studied from a particular local conflict perspective, the research with exiled artists moves to a global level, speaking with artists who respond to violent conflict, expressing global-to-local dimensions. From their spaces in exile, artists have often played important roles in triggering actions for social justice among diaspora and in their places of origin.
Cindy Horst is working with exiled artists and activists in Norway and the Netherlands, while Kasia Grabska studies exiled artists and activists in France and Switzerland. They follow common questions, including:
- What inspires and motivates those engaged in creative practice during and after violent conflict?
- What role do artists play in creating alternative discourses during and after violent conflict?
- How do artistic expressions inspire and move others to act towards social justice?
We conduct research in four different locations in Europe to gain a variety of perspectives. We complement our multi-sited ethnography with creative life story interviews and conversations with artists and activists, workshops with artists, and collaborations with artists on this website.
Exiled artists in Switzerland and France
Since June 2020, Kasia has been working closely with Marisa Cornejo, Dahab Faytinga and Mitkhal Alzghair, among other artists. She has also been carrying out research with artists/activists who engage through their creative practice in opening up spaces for dialogue and inclusion. The research involves a series of conversations with artists (and activists) following their creative practice, and participating in their artistic endeavours. Due to the pandemic, some of the conversations with artists and observation of their creative practice were conducted virtually.
