Monday, June 14, 2010

Home.

A journal page I made a while ago. After the horrible xenophobic attacks of 2008, many refugees were housed in camps in and around Cape Town. Some months ago, the last operating CT camp (at Blue Waters) was closed down permanently. Some refugees agreed to be repatriated to their own countries, rather than face the violence directed at them in local townships. Others agreed to be reintegrated in surrounding townships, although many expressed fears of being targeted again. The 187 remaining refugees, who wanted to stay on in the camp, were given a small amount of money and then evicted. I am possibly simplifying the situation. But imagine yourself in a strange country, where you hoped to find a better life, evicted with your small bundle of possessions. Whereto now? Where is home? Nowhere ...


















Journal page (newspaper photograph, paint, fabric tape).

7 comments:

Sarah said...

I think half the problems we have would be made a bit better if people did just what you said-as in imagining themselves in someone else's situation-especially refugees. Great page.

Anonymous said...

It is a sad world, when we can't live together without hatred and violence. An excellent post!

Leenie said...

I really like the design of your page--the sad photo of a place most of us would not consider a home. The woman and child looking so lost in such a gray and drab setting. Plus the fabrics bringing the eye to the point of interest.

Good for you to bring our attention to a situation that needs to be remembered.

Linda Sue said...

AWESOME YES! Compassion at it's worst..."here's a bundle now get out"...Love your page- most effective mood. Very sorry case of humanity being ugly...AGAIN! urk!

nathalie et cetera said...

very poignant post Anairam.

aimee said...

thank you for bringing me down to earth with this piece... for making me grateful for the things i take for granted every day.

Anonymous said...

Very profound words, and the journal page is even more...very strong...
And this is sadly one example of many human perdicaments throughout our world...
XOXOrly