Local Foreigners

It's always fantastic to see when the exhibition spaces serve their community. I was proud of the ease with which the Local Foreigners exhibition fit into the Becoming British performance.

Led by artist , this performance was very relatable. It evoked many memories of struggling with the bureaucracy of the Home Office, trying to fit into the new society, grieving the lost home, and at the same time discovering my new identity. Based on the interviews, Becoming British was as much about the diverse experiences of migration as this project is.

This is your last chance to see the Local Foreigners exhibition before the closing of the Migration Matters Festival!

📆 Date: 15 - 22 June
⏰ Time: 11:00 - 16:00
📍 Location: Soft Ground, Sheffield

We want to extend a huge thank you to all the participants of the project who shared their valuable stories. Your contributions have touched many visitors and have shed light on the diverse experiences of migrants ❤

Don't miss this opportunity to experience these powerful narratives.

Join us for an evening of exploration across art, photography and more as we meet the artists behind a wide array of inspiring pieces exhibiting at this years festival. There will be drinks, nibbles, music and more so make sure you nab yourself a free ticket and get involved!

📆 Date: Mon 17 June
⏰ Time: 6-7:30 pm
📍 Location: Soft Ground, Sheffield

The Local Foreigners exhibition is set up and running. Come see it at Soft Ground while it lasts!

📆 Date: 15 - 22 June
⏰ Time: 11:00 - 16:00
📍 Location: Soft Ground, Sheffield

I'm honored to participate in the Migration Matters Festival alongside many other talented artists. There are so many exciting events that I just spent an hour reading through the program and deciding where to go this weekend 😄

Exciting news! Local Foreigners will be participating in the upcoming Migration Matters Festival. This festival brings together many artists to celebrate sanctuary, cultural identity, and migration.

We're looking forward to a week of performances, theatre, dance, food, music, and installations in Sheffield! Join us in celebrating the many unique experiences and perspectives of immigrants in the UK.

The wait is over! 🎉

Here's our first lineup poster for 2024, with headliners including:

🌎 Grammy nominated husband-and-wife musical duo Amadou & Mariam, who performed their Afrobeat hits at Glastonbury last year.

🌎 Genre-hopping Swiss band Sirens Of Le**os

🌎 Prize-winning poet and performer Roger Robinson

Our best-ever lineup includes 50+ events to enjoy across art, theatre, drag, dance, food, comedy children's events, climate change and more.

So mark your diaries for June 14-22 and head to migrationmattersfestival.co.uk.
Our very first tickets - for the headliners and buzzing opening/closing parties - are going live right NOW.

Behind every creative endeavour, there's a wealth of research. For my project, Local Foreigners, one of the key sources of inspiration has been A. Batziou's insightful book, "Picturing Immigration: photojournalistic representation of immigrants in Greek and Spanish press".

Batziou's analysis of newspaper photography and the techniques used to portray immigrants as different from the local population has been instrumental in my work. Depicting immigrants as threatening groups, showing locals in positions of authority over newcomers, using long camera distances, and showing expressionless faces out of context - these techniques create a visual framing of 'otherness'.

In Local Foreigners, I have taken these techniques and inverted them to challenge the stereotypes and create a more inclusive and empathetic perspective through my lens. Research matters. It shapes our understanding, and if used wisely, it can help us shift perspectives.

Don't miss your last chance to explore the Local Foreigners exhibition at Whale Arts! This unique project, featuring 12 compelling portraits and personal stories of individuals who have moved to Edinburgh from various countries, closes soon. It's a captivating journey into the diversity and complexity of immigration, presenting immigrants as locals with their own hobbies, work, families, and studies. Join us before it ends!

📆 Closing Date: 28th March
📍 Location: WHALE Arts Centre, 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA

“There's a movie in our culture: “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. Kabhi means sometimes. Khushi means happy. Gham means sad. So sometimes happy, sometimes sad. That’s my story.”

Meet Satnam, one of the participants in our Local Foreigners exhibition at Whale Arts. Satnam moved from India to the UK when he was twelve and his story is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Join us at the exhibition to learn more about his journey and many others.

“It feels like in Scotland some people like to think that they are not racist, but I think they are. Racism does exist. But to me this place is home and I don’t want to leave it.”

Join us at the Local Foreigners exhibition at Whale Arts to explore Neeru Bhatnagar's story among 12 immigrants' stories being showcased. Their compelling narratives shed light on the immigrant experience in Scotland, blending resilience with honest reflections. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with these personal journeys and expand your understanding of your local community. The exhibition runs until 28th of March. See you there!

📆 Exhibition Dates: 4th - 28th March 2024
📍 Location: WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA

It was an absolute pleasure to attend the opening of Local Foreigners exhibition at Whale Arts in Edinburgh. The workshop on Ukrainian toy painting, led by Natalia Lyalyuk, was a truly enriching experience. Natalia, a participant in the project, moved to Edinburgh in 2022 following the full Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the challenges, she found a way to share the beautiful traditions of Ukraine with the local community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and made this event a success! ❤

“I embraced everything that had to do with being a migrant and my Maltese roots grew wider because I refused to feel unwanted in a country that had previously colonised my homeland.”

Zoë is one of the participants in our Local Foreigners exhibition at Whale Arts. Her story is a powerful narrative that highlights the resilience and depth of immigrant experiences. Visit the exhibition to delve into her story and those of 11 other individuals who have made Edinburgh their home.

📆 Exhibition Dates: 4th - 28th March 2024
📍 Location: WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA

Join us for the Local Foreigners exhibition at Whale Arts in Edinburgh from the 4th to the 28th of March. This unique project, featuring 12 striking portraits and personal stories of individuals who have moved to Edinburgh from various countries, highlights the diversity and complexity of immigration. Don't miss this chance to explore the narratives of your local community members. The exhibition will also host a free workshop on Ukrainian traditional toy painting, providing an interactive cultural experience for visitors. See you there!

📆 Exhibition Dates: 4th - 28th March
📅 Workshop Date: 4th of March, 2PM
📍 Location: WHALE Arts Centre, 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA

Register for the workshop here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/traditional-ukrainian-toy-painting-workshop-tickets-850893414107

"I travelled here by train through five countries, and this is the sixth. At first, the whole trip was just a journey for me. Only when we arrived here, I started to think: "Oh, that's it. I am a refugee. Now I have to think about how to live here." And when we stopped, the stress of planning replaced the excitement of travelling.”

Yustyna's story is one of 12 portraits and stories of immigrants that will be exhibited at Whale Arts. Visit the exhibition from 4th to 28th of March to learn more about people who moved to Edinburgh from various countries. To celebrate the exhibition and learn more about Ukrainian culture, join us at the workshop of Ukrainian toy painting on 4th of March at 2 PM!

📆 Date: Mon, 4th March 2024
⏰ Time: 14:00-15:00
📍 Location: 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA

Join us for a FREE workshop on Ukrainian traditional painting, known as Yavorivska Zabavka, at the WHALE Arts Centre, Edinburgh on March 4th. This interactive and immersive experience is part of the Local Foreigners exhibition and will be guided by Natalia Lyalyuk, a participant in the project who relocated to Edinburgh from Ukraine. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your local community while exploring a vibrant and historically rich art form.
See you on March 4th at 2:00 PM!

📆 Date: Mon, 4th March 2024
⏰ Time: 14:00-15:00
📍 Location: 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/traditional-ukrainian-toy-painting-workshop-tickets-850893414107

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival Returns to Celebrate Diversity Experience the vibrant cultural tapestry of the Edinburgh Multicultural Festival 2023. Diverse performances, arts, community unity - and free tickets await.

The exhibition of Local Foreigners in Edinburgh is continued this week with Edinburgh Multicultural Festival! Visit it on 30 September (13:00-20:00) at PASS - Acting, Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre & Costume for Stage at Edinburgh College for one of the last opportunities to see it in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival - Celebrating cultural diversity in Edinburgh since 2019. Welcome to Edinburgh's Own World Stage for Performance, Visual and Literary Arts!

Another article about the Local Foreigners exhibition was published by UAL postgraduate community. It's great to see so many communities taking an interest in the exhibition!

Local Foreigners exhibition in Edinburgh Since moving from Ukraine to the UK, as a photographer and artist I have been interested in migrant identity. While pursuing my MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at London College of Communication, I began interviewing immigrants about their experiences. This led to the creation of t...

Many museum visitors were drawn to the Local Foreigners exhibition and found the personal stories very relatable. Some of them wrote in the guest book and even on the website, expressing their fascination with seeing someone similar photographed for the exhibition. "All museums should have a room like this," reads one of the guest book entries. Many visitors also shared their own migration stories, becoming part of the exhibition.

The Local Foreigners exhibition will be open at the Museum of Edinburgh until September 10th, 2023. Be sure to visit it if you are in the city during the Fringe!

Exciting news! An article about the Local Foreigners exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh was just published on the Counterpoints Arts blog. The exhibition showcases the stories of immigrants who made Edinburgh their home. Visitors have been drawn to the personal stories and the objects that participants loaned to the museum, which share a piece of their identity. Check out the article to learn more about the exhibition and the impact it's had on visitors.

Local Foreigners at the Museum of Edinburgh By Maryna Sulym (pictured, above) Since moving from Ukraine to the UK, I have been interested in migrant identity. In 2020 I started a project that portrays the human side of immigration through portraits and personal stories. This is how Local Foreigners was created: an online gallery where more th...

Visitors to the Local Foreigners exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh take a quick peek into the room, but end up staying much longer. They read the stories of migration and learn about the objects that the participants and museum staff brought from their home countries.

The Local Foreigners exhibition will be open at the Museum of Edinburgh until September 10th, 2023. Be sure to visit it if you are in the city during the Fringe!

Local Foreigners: the human face of immigration This exhibition features photographs of people who have moved to Edinburgh from other countries and made the city their home.

It was wonderful to finally see the Local Foreigners exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh! The exhibition is housed in a wooden-panelled room within a historic 16th-century building in the heart of the city, creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere that feels like a living room. I am grateful to Museums & Galleries Edinburgh for organising such a fantastic exhibition, one couldn’t wish for a better place or people to work with. I am also grateful to the people who shared their stories, which contribute to local history.

The Local Foreigners exhibition will be open at the Museum of Edinburgh until September 10th, 2023. Be sure to visit it if you are in the city during the Fringe!

Local Foreigners: the human face of immigration This exhibition features photographs of people who have moved to Edinburgh from other countries and made the city their home.

It is a joy to see participants of Local Foreigners visiting the project exhibition! Ola shared a photo of herself at the exhibition in the Museum of Edinburgh, with her portrait and story printed in the background. It is amazing to see the museum focusing on the experiences of New Scots. Migrant perspectives are an integral part of Edinburgh life, and their stories should be included in the city's history.

Local Foreigners exhibition in the Museum of Edinburgh is free and open until September. If you are in Edinburgh, plan to visit it!

"Home for me is something other than just my flat. My apartment is where my things are and where I can be hidden from the world. Home, however, is something from my childhood, a place with memories. It’s where my parents are. It’s a very complex feeling being at home in two places: one where my family and my childhood are, and another where I have built my adult life. But it also means that at most times I am missing one of these places."

Ola’s story is a part of Local Foreigners exhibition in Museum of Edinburgh. It combines the portraits and stories of 12 people who moved to Edinburgh from various countries. The exhibition is free and lasts until September, so plan to visit it if you are in Edinburgh!

Read more about Ola’s experience of migration here: https://localforeigners.org/stories/ola-olsinova

"I came to the UK from Slovakia when I was 17. I studied at a boarding school in England through a scholarship for Eastern European students.

After school, I came to Edinburgh to study at the University. I returned to Slovakia after graduating for a job, but I came back because I loved the city and lots of my friends were still here.

One of my most beloved parts of Edinburgh is the Meadows. It’s a very social, communal place, where I often run into people I know. I do appreciate how Scottish people can turn a sunny day in a park into a festival-like, barbecue-filled garden for all age groups to enjoy."

Ola’s story is a part of Local Foreigners exhibition in Museum of Edinburgh. It combines the portraits and stories of 12 people who moved to Edinburgh from various countries. The exhibition is free and lasts until September, so plan to visit it if you are in Edinburgh!

The Local Foreigners project was included in the Diaspora and Belonging exhibition at Mother London last week. It was an honour to participate in the exhibition alongside many thoughtful works and talented artists. It was also a great pleasure to see the visitors express interest in the work!

These prints are all related to powerful stories that can be read on the website: https://localforeigners.org/stories. One of the stories is about the author's grandmother Nadiia, who moved from Ukraine one year ago.

"I am not sure if I feel at home in Edinburgh. I love it and I feel very suited for this city. I am surrounded by great friends and a fantastic partner, but being so far away from family and old friends makes it feel sometimes that I am on a very long holiday/vacation of sorts and I would just one day get a return ticket home. Realistically this won’t happen due to many reasons: national healthcare, more holiday here, to name a few. Besides the distance there are times where I don’t feel home here due to the government push to get as many immigrants out as possible with layers upon layers of paperwork.

Despite occasional frustration, I would say that life in the UK has changed me for the better. Edinburgh is an international city, and being around so many different cultures I have learned a lot about local and distant cultures. I would have never learned that if I was still in the USA. I have adopted some of the cultural items such as foods or traditions as I have found them great."

Dave’s story is a part of Local Foreigners exhibition in Museum of Edinburgh. It combines the portraits and stories of 12 people who moved to Edinburgh from various countries, and the objects that remind them of home. The exhibition is free and lasts until September, so plan to visit it if you are in Edinburgh!

Read more about Dave’s experience of migration here: https://localforeigners.org/stories/dave-ginn

"I grew up always making things in my dad’s wood shop. When I came to Edinburgh, living in a small flat did not allow me to do that for quite a few years. Now I volunteer a lot of my time at The Forge charity. The charity allows people to use all the tools they have to fix broken items or build new things. If a person has an idea in mind it can be built there. I moved near the charity when I was in between jobs and it gave me something to do with my time and get back to making and fixing things. I help others with their projects, and also spend a lot of my time fixing the tools that get worn down by use of many. The Forge allows me to socialise, meet new people and continue creating things.

The first time I visited Edinburgh was on a trip to Europe in 2011. This was my favourite city out of all the cities I visited. I vowed to come back and after a few years of working and saving up I was able to return. Originally I came here to study and get my masters as sadly it is cheaper to pay for my masters and live over here than it is to pay for a masters back in the USA. Even though after my undergraduate I said I never wanted to do more school again, I decided to go back and it was an experience I shall always cherish."

Dave’s story is a part of Local Foreigners exhibition in Museum of Edinburgh. It combines the portraits and stories of 12 people who moved to Edinburgh from various countries. The exhibition is free and lasts until September, so plan to visit it if you are in Edinburgh!

Read more about Dave’s experience of migration here: https://localforeigners.org/stories/dave-ginn

Local Foreigners exhibition has opened in the Museum of Edinburgh, and it looks amazing!

The exhibition showcases portraits and stories from twelve people who moved to Edinburgh from various countries. It also features objects that remind them of home.

Admission to the exhibition is free, and it will be open until September. If you have the chance, you should definitely plan to visit it!