The Human Journey
collettiva di opere pittoriche realizzate da richiedenti asilo
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Palazzo Bomben hosts the exhibition The Human Journey, organised by Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche, in cooperation with the Prefecture of Treviso, offering a small selection of paintings by five Nigerian asylum seekers hosted by a reception centre in the Province of Treviso, which were made during a recent art workshop that started as an activity to supplement an Italian language course. It is one of the activities promoted in reception centres, as part of the system’s governance strategy implemented by the Prefecture, with the aim to promote personal engagement and the development of skills and know-how.
The 15 works on display, in different formats and with different subjects, stand out for their expressiveness and outstanding ability to portray the profound human nature of each of the artists and, simultaneously, of all of us. Some of these works depict painful past experiences, the melancholy of leaving their loved ones behind, others convey the colours and atmospheres of African landscapes, and others still are a tribute to Italy or portray human or animal figures. All of them offer the opportunity to know more about the people who made them, their emotions and their experiences.
The exhibition is part of the efforts by Fondazione Benetton to address current issues, from social integration – such as the recent conference “Nuove Comunità” [New Communities] – to the desire to promote, especially among younger generations, an understanding of others and the value of multiculturalism. This is why the public opening, in addition to Laura Lega, prefect of Treviso, and the asylum seekers featured in the exhibition, will also be attended by some students of the local state secondary school “Liceo Duca degli Abruzzi” and by student representatives from the Liceo Artistico, Treviso’s state secondary art school. Domenico Quirico, a journalist for “La Stampa”, will be a special guest at the event and will share his experience as a reporter and expert on international affairs and the changes that have taken place in the world as a result of the so-called Arab Spring.
As Marco Tamaro, Director of Fondazione Benetton, explains, «With this exhibition, we sought to seize the opportunity to create a bridge between worlds that are close yet so distant from each other. Promoting opportunities for asylum seekers to meet the local community is essential for the development of mutual understanding and integration. In particular, we are looking to the world of education, which has always been at the centre of our work, since it is important for us to make young people understand that aside from the figures and the issues associated with migration, there are people, each with their own story, dreams, talents and skills, who can be an asset».
As prefect Laura Lega explains, «Creating opportunities for encounter and cultural exchange by involving civil society is of crucial importance to foster proper and effective interaction and mutual understanding in the areas concerned. I would like to thank Fondazione Benetton for having embraced the idea of this initiative, bringing it to life, and providing an exhibition space».
