Isolation Art

Co-curated Exhibition with Refugee Action York 

7 October 2021 – 8 November 2021  

 When the world went into lockdown in March 2020, the system for processing applications from people seeking asylum in the UK ground to a halt. As part of a Home Office programme to expand provision of temporary accommodation, a hotel in York was used from June 2020 to host 90 asylum seekers.    

Refugee Action York (RAY) works with people seeking refugee in the UK and they act as a lifeline for those living in the city through offering support, financial advice and wellbeing activities. During the pandemic, RAY raised awareness and organised donations for the group while also offering creative activities.   

The group produced a series of paintings using equipment donated through RAY and we have a selection of them on display here.   

The artists shared why they created the pieces, and we anonymised their names to ensure their safety.