Voices from Greece: Art as an escape for three asylum-seekers stuck in limbo
Following the 2017 exhibition of Syrian refugee Maa'li al Khalili, Ye Olde Blacksmith art gallery in Stanstead is once again offering a platform to help those whose voices are often left unheard. Their new exhibit, “Voices from Greece”, will be presenting the story of three refugees through painting and poetry from August 18 to September 2.
The curator of the exhibit, Jackie Heim, regularly volunteers at refugee camps in Greece. This is how she met the three artists featured at the gallery: husband and wife Majed Ebraheem and Fatima Kriem, and René Jean Amba. They instantly all became good friends.
“The exhibit is really looking at the experience of these three people who arrived in Greece by boat,” she said. “They were artists in their home country, doing well and living off their craft.
Now, however, they are all stuck in the overcrowded Samos island refugee camp in Greece, unsure of what their future holds.
Heim explained that Amba is a refugee from Cameroon, Africa. He is a painter and sculptor.
“René is an amazing artist. He sent in one triptych (a set of three works meant to be viewed together) to the gallery, and we knew we had to have him. We had to let him tell his story,” said Heim. “His art is really like a memoir. It explains what his life was like in Africa, why he left, how he copes with his new situation.”
“He sent out a request for asylum and it was refused. So now he’s sent out an appeal and is still waiting. It’s been over a year,” she continued. “His part of the exhibit really explores how the ordeal has affected him mentally, psychologically.”
Ebraheem and his wife Kriem, along their three children, are all refugees from Syria, according to Heim. Both Kriem and Ebraheem are highly regarded poets in their country, having won prizes for their work. Ebraheem also paints.
“Fatima often says that he’d paint 24 hours a day if he could,” said Heim with a laugh. “He’s already sold one of his paintings in the exhibit. Their eldest daughter, Rand, who is nine, will also have a watercolor painting in her parents exhibit.”
The family had fled Syria and settled in Kuwait, where Kriem and Ebraheem had a contract working to develop a TV show on art and culture. When the contract was over, however, they had to find somewhere to go. Syria, being far too dangerous, was no longer an option. Kriem hoped to move her family to Germany, where her sister lives, but Heim sadly expressed doubts of that ever happening.
“Right now, they’re stuck on the island, unsure of what’s happening,” said Heim, adding that though their situation is far from ideal, there is a bright side. “Their children are all attending school, and since they used to teach Arabic languages back in Syria, they’ve become translators for a humanitarian organization working in the camps.”
Amba too, has put himself to work while in the camp.
“He’s a very sociable guy, a leader. He became very involved in Greece, teaching art and doing some translating,” said the curator. “It helps to keep busy.”
According to Heim, in her personal experience volunteering in refugee camps, the living conditions in Greece for asylum seekers are getting steadily worse.
“In many ways I think it has gotten worse, especially for those on the island.refugees are being held in former prisons,” she said. “The conditions really aren’t even good enough for animals.the country is really doing its best. It’s no one’s fault, they’re just so overwhelmed.”
Though living conditions are an issue, the real crisis is a psychological one. Heim said that the state of limbo most of the asylum seekers are in until they are processed takes a serious mental toll.
“They’re stuck until they get answer, and in the meantime, they have no idea what’s going on. And it can take years before they get an answer. Even then, there’s no guarantee it’ll be a good one,” she explained. “It’s very destructive on the psyche of people. Doctors Without Borders have declared a mental health emergency in Greece. There’s just not enough services.”
“I can’t imagine the level of anxiety René, Majed, Fatima and the kids are under every single day, but they make the best of it. They’re very dignified people, they’re so grateful to have this exhibit,” said Heim, adding that the kindness of the people of Greece gives a ray of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.
“The majority are so compassionate. We’re all human, we’re all the same. We have the same basic needs, desires. What’s really beautiful is how, amongst the struggle, there are these real, strong connections being formed among people that, otherwise, would never meet.”
The vernissage for the “Voices of Greece” exhibit will be held Saturday August 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. All proceeds from the exhibit will go back to the artists.