HOPE FOMEKONG LOOKS AT ART AND ADVOCACY
This has been a great project to be involved in. York became the UK's inaugural Human Rights City in 2017, joining six other European cities with the shared ambition of connecting local initiatives with global human rights efforts. The idea to intersect our Human Rights record with the city’s heritage came to us whilst visiting Bar Convent LivingHeritageCentre.
The Annual Indicator Report, which assesses the "state of the city," acknowledges that despite aspirations foravibrant,diverse,andfaircommunity, significantprogressremainstobemade Priorityhumanrightsinclude:
Equality
AdequateHousing
QualityEducation
Health
DecentStandardofLiving
All listed rights fall under the umbrella of HumanRights.
In York, there are notable disparities in educationalstandardsandanincreasing proportion of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), rising from 25% to 29% and 0.8% to1.4%respectively.
It is imperative to empower children to articulate their priorities, and York must illuminate the often-unseen historical narratives of children, especially through art.HenceourtripstoBarConvent.
It wasn't long before we introduced the brief thrown down by creative counterparts in fellow UNESCO City of Media Arts Viborg, Denmark,aspartoftheir'DrawwithDenmark' campaign.Whatdo'AngelsofHope'meanto YOU?WelookedatManga,thenaturalworld, slogans, and we even reappropriated materials such as crisp packets to create one off items that looked at living well and eatinghealthily
We hope to add an international dimension by sharing the young artists' work with creatives in Denmark, although this aspect is still being finalized What is certain is that we had a fantastic time, the young people of York had an amazing time, and Bar Convent has solidified its reputation as the go-to venue for heritage, inspiration, and some angeliccalm
“"We are delighted that our pupils at OLQM have had the opportunity to work with artist Greg McGee in co-creating the Collage of Advocacy The trips to Bar Convent were inspiring, with children learning new skills, discussing concepts around aspirations and allowing children to express their ideas through art while feeling part of something much bigger To know that their work contributes to a campaign is both inspiring and empowering – it reminds our pupils that their voices and creativity truly matter " Hannah Elsworth, Deputy Headteacher, OLQM, elsworth h@olqm npcat org uk
"York's heritage works best when it looks forwards and outwards Grinding inspiration in living heritage for some of the most vulnerable people in the city not only reflects our artistic ambitions as a charity, but it's of huge benefit to residents and visitors to York alike This is art with a story The international component is a reminder that better, brighter days are ahead if we advocate for more creativity and less time to division " Greg McGee, co-director, New Visuality
DISCUSSING FAIRNESSS AND OPTIMISM
"It's great that we have these workshops during Half Term for the local children. They're creative, they're fun, and it really is a wonderful asset."
C. Cole, Community Officer Acomb Ward, Dringhouse and Woodthorpe Ward, Westfield Ward YORK
A D V O C A C Y H E R O E S A N D Y O R K
Just because the summer holidays have finished doesn’t mean that advocacy has stopped being arty! Our ‘Collage of Advocacy’ is shaping up nicely, with our art advocates encouraging young people to create art on activism during our Art sessions at Dalton Terrace, Westfield’s Our Lady’s Parish Hall, and Holgate’s Poppleton Road Memorial Hall. We plan to exhibit a series of collages starting at York College and Explore York before Christmas. Work begins on designs in October.
Hope Fomekong, New Visuality
