Takshi and Prainsh / commissioned by BBC Year of the Novel and Libraries connected.

Stratford Library / 2019

This project took place shortly before the pandemic with a family recently arrived in London after fleeing war in Afganisthan. It was centred around drawing but importantly wasn’t prescriptive. I found it very challenging because I felt it was crucial to be sensitive to what the family had been through. All I wanted was for them to feel safe and welcomed in the environment. We ended up makng a sort of stage set for animation, the themes that emerged being urban environments and ideas about ‘homes’. The parents enjoyed making wire armatures and clothing for the figures and the children drew all the other elements. With the help of a translator the father spoke alot about their experiences and the fear that they had been living with for all of their lives. I found it hard to know what to say. Words cannot really help. I said to him I’m sorry I don’t know how to best respond to your words, it is too big. He said the best thing is to say nothing and just to listen. He needed to tell his stories without interruption. This resonated with me and I always think of it.