Wasafiri launches its special issue ‘Refuge’ at Tate Exchange
By Wasafiri Editor on April 16, 2018 in
From left to right: Bidisha, Olumide Popoola, Lisa Luxx and Sophie Herxheimer
Join Wasafiri to celebrate the launch of its special issue ‘Refuge’ at Tate Modern on 4 May 2018 from 6.30-8.30pm
In a time of inflammatory headlines and damaging political rhetoric, this issue, guest edited by Bidisha, brings together a powerful roster of writers and artists to counter the populist narrative. The launch will feature poetry readings by contributors Olumide Popoola, Lisa Luxx and Bidisha followed by a panel discussion chaired by Bidisha and including cover artist Sophie Herxheimer.
Bidisha is a journalist and broadcaster for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky. She is a trustee of the Booker Prize Foundation. Her most recent book, Asylum and Exile: Hidden Voices of London is based on her outreach work with refugees. Her poetry has been published by Wasafiri magazine, Seagull Books, Saqi Books, English PEN and Young MWA magazine.
Lisa Luxx is a British-Syrian writer, essayist and performer. Her writing has been published by The International Times, i-D, The Sunday Times and in several anthologies. She has read on BBC Radio, and lectured on Tedx. Luxx is founder of Prowl House, an arts organisation that explores independence and activism in the post-net world. In 2017 she released her book of poems and essays, The 4th Brain.
Sophie Herxheimer is an artist and poet. She often works on projects and residencies with public engagement, using various creative and imaginative processes from drawing to print to performance. Her new book Velkom to Inklandt is Poetry Book of the Month in the Guardian and Observer. Sophie teaches and collaborates extensively.
Olumide Popoola is a London-based Nigerian-German writer and speaker. Her publications include essays, poetry, the novella This is Not About Sadness, the play Also by Mail, the short story collection breach, co-authored by Annie Holmes. In 2004 she won the May Ayim Award for Poetry. Her novel When We Speak of Nothing was published by Cassava Republic Press in 2017.
The launch is part of a wider week long free public events programme between Queen Mary, University of London and Tate Exchange called ‘Producing Memory: Maps Materials Belongings’. The programme runs between 1-6 May and includes a TedEx talk at 1.30pm by artist Sophie Herxheimer followed by her workshop ‘Stories Live in Ink’ from 2-4pm. During, Herxheimer will document refugee and ‘home’ experiences through listening and drawing to make work that celebrates shared stories, followed by an afternoon story telling workshop.
Tickets are limited, please RSVP via Eventbrite to book your ticket here.
