Strangers to Ourselves

'Strangers to Ourselves' comprised two exhibitions and accompanying catalogues focusing on migration, dislocation and exile. Rossi, Belleguic and Stewart co-curated the exhibitions. Rossi also exhibited a large scale painting ‘Le Radeau'.

'Strangers' sought to celebrate cultural diversity within the framework of migration and present a serious exploration of the subject. The project responded to the particularity of audience, site and context and explored new models of curatorial practice reflecting unfolding global events questioning the place of the political within cultural work. This ambitious project was devised in two parts: one encompassed 12 venues simultaneously across the stretch of coast running along the South East of England; the other reflected a geographical shift from periphery to centre, London being the preferred destination for most migrants.

With support from the Arts Council of England, the Henry Moore Foundation, Sussex Hospitals NHS and local authorities concerned with the issues, major new work was commissioned from artists including Pavel Buchler, Adam Chodzko Igor, and Svetlana Kopystiansky, much of which has since featured in international exhibitions including the Istanbul Biennale.

Focus on the subject matter was encouraged by gallery talks by the artists and by a conference held at the Kent Institute of Art and Design on 1 November 2003.