DISSENT AND DISPLACEMENT
LEICESTER’S New Walk Museum and Art Gallery will play host to a major new exhibition by international artist Monica Petzal from Saturday, February 8, until Sunday, April 19.
Dissent And Displacement – A Modern Story will be opened by Lord Michael Cashman (of Stonewall and EastEnders) with Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and celebrates storytelling and the ways in which we reflect on our lives.
Inspired by the museum’s German Expressionist collection, and
Monica’s refugee heritage, the themes of opposition, persecution and persistence are explored through a series of large-scale panels.
Interweaving threads of family, politics, culture and art, Monica’s narratives range from the rise of National
Socialism in 1930s
Germany to a Syrian refugee doctor living in Leicester today.
Monica said: “I was inspired by the exceptional German Expressionist collection in Leicester and the equally remarkable history of the city. I want to bring alive a rich mix of stories about opposition, persecution and persistence. This exhibition is in part, about the benefits we get from refugees, like those whose generosity made this collection possible. Leicester deserves its reputation for being in many ways a city of sanctuary.”
She continued: “We understand that history repeats itself and current events in Syria make us all despair. The story I tell of a Syrian refugee now living safely with his family in Leicester reminds us of the devastation caused by war and persecution.”
Dissent And Displacement begins with the artist reflecting on her maternal Jewish grandparents’ journey from East Prussia to Dresden as they escape antisemitism and finishes with digitally created images which highlight some of Leicester’s most high-profile politicians and the impact that Leicester voters have had on the political landscape.
There will be a series of educational talks and an extensive out-reach programme associated with the exhibition. Visit the websitedissentdisplacement.com.
■ New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester, is open to the public 11am-4.30pm on weekdays, 11am-5pm on weekends. Entry to the exhibition is free.