6 February 2025
Taste of Home (2024)
24 billboard digital prints of cyanotypes, monoprints and poetry
‘A Taste of Home’, commissioned by art on the underground, covered twenty-four billboard sites in the ticket hall of Terminal 4 Piccadilly Line Underground station and envisages Heathrow as a gateway to London between July 2024 and July 2025. Through a combination of cyanotypes, monoprints and poetry by Khaled Abdallah and Warsan Shire, this commission seeks to honour the stories and futures of people whose realities are often maligned or misrepresented in their migrant journeys. The work was produced as an outcome of the many conversations and connections developed during workshops 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 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.