I’m thrilled to share some photos from a fantastic day last week at the opening of ‘A Taste of Home’, my new commission with Art on The Underground. The 24 billboards of cyanotypes, monoprints and poetry are the outcome of many conversations and connections with asylum seekers who are currently living in temporary accommodation near Heathrow airport, many of whom are supported by the charity Refugees in Effective and Active Partnership (REAP).
I am incredibly grateful for the trust and energy of the team who have been involved in bringing this project to life, Khaled Abdallah, Sarah Crowther, Lydia Dique, Bronwen Findlay Studio, Khalida Obeid and the Women’s Afghan Support Group, Other Cinemas – Arwa Aburawa and Turab Shah, OMNI, Wolfe Hall – Luke Hall, Izi Thexton and AOTU – Elizabeth Ferguson, Jason Wolfe, Warsan Shire, Gillani Syed, Louise Shelley, Jessica Richardson and Sasha Morse, Gill King, TfL staff that create and maintain gardens across the network, the Poetry Translation Centre, Refugees in Effective and Active Partnership (REAP), and all the interpreters and participants of our workshops, as well as my family and friends.
I have long been fascinated by the journeys of food and plants, how they traverse continents and cultures, weaving stories of migration and resilience. Plants are central to our being, they sustain our bodies, heart, and soul. They embody the essence of human migration, reflecting our innate desire for new beginnings—sometimes chosen, but all too often, imposed by circumstances beyond our control. In the words of the poet, Warsan Shire, ‘No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark’. This poignant line encapsulates the harsh realities faced by those forced to flee their homes in search of safety and refuge. A Taste of Home is a project that honours the richness of diverse cultures and the shared humanity that binds us all.
The work will be on show to the public at the underground ticketing hall at Heathrow Terminal 4.