‘A Museum of Journeys in a Chest of Drawers’, is led by Manchester and Nottingham based 'A Pocketful of Treasure' artists Sharon Campbell and Rachel Ramchurn. Hosted at ARTS and health charity Arc the exhibition aims to challenge stereotypes about mental health and refugee status. Several chests of drawers contain interactive multimedia pieces telling the stories, memories and artwork of nineteen women from two groups, Arc and from Refugee and Asylum seeker group Global Sistaz United in Nottingham.
“Peek inside and consider whether you recognize yourself in the stories told. We’ve used visual storytelling to create the exhibition and hope to share human commonalities during a time when there is much that divides us, There were common links between the stories which we may all relate to, showing that we share more in common than we may realise.” said lead artist Sharon Campbell.
Arc’s Artistic Director Jacqui Wood added, "As an arts organisation, Arc recognises the importance of supporting and developing artists who provoke, inspire, create and celebrate. We’re proud of our track record of working with artists such as Rachel and Sharon, to produce ambitious arts projects which provide our participants opportunities to create something unique and personal. Our new town centre base means we can bring this work to a wider audience."
The exhibition will open at 12pm February 29 at Arc Centre, Hat Works, Wellington Road South with a preview of the artwork and opportunity to create stories with a Poem Making Machine using words from the project that visitors relate to.
The launch of this first exhibition of the project coincides with a monthly Saturday Art Club where visitors of all ages are invited to take part in a drop-in activity from 11am to 3.30pm. Visitors can see the installation from 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Friday at the Gallery Cafe. Please visit arc-centre.org for more information or find out more and take part in the project on Instagram @museumofjourneys.
The project is gratefully funded by Arts Council England and Stockport Ward Flexibility Funding.