Migration, Heritage and Belonging Key Stage 2

Here are some of the objects in our collections that have something to say about the themes of migration and belonging. You can download resources with classroom activities below.

This mural was created by street artist Deanio X’s as part of his work Fresh off the Boats. As with much of his art, the mural honours the sacrifices of the Windrush generation and their descendants, to Britain today and throughout time.

Discussion points

• Are Deanio X’s artworks making a statement, sending a message, or asking a question?
• What are your views about the experiences of the Windrush generation and their descendants?
• Can you show this through your own art?

Download our powerful teachers resource and discover powerful activities to help your students learn about the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and reflect on the experiences and contributions of people who migrated from the Caribbean to Britain.

Identity is a contemporary embroidered map created by Rachelle Romeo, reflecting on British identity, racism and government policy in the wake of the Windrush scandal. In this map Romeo reflects on and expresses the experiences of her father as part of the Windrush generation and their descendants.

Discussion points

What does this map tell us about the experiences of the Windrush generation and other people who have migrated?

How might these experiences impact their identity?

‘An Exact Survey of the cities of London and Westminster’ created by Jean Rocque who arrived in London as a young child in 1709. His parents had left France as Huguenot (French Protestant) refugees, going first to Switzerland, where Jean was born, and then to England. A talented draftsman and mathematician, he carried out an accomplished survey of London, published in 1745. The maps he created in this survey were the most extensive survey of London made to that date.  

Classroom activity

• Check out what London looked like in the 1800s 
• Why not make your own map of your local area

This kite is made from a road map showing northern France and south-east England. It was made in a refugee camp in Calais in March 2016 as part of a session facilitated by Art Refuge UK. When the southern part of the camp was destroyed in March 2016, the kites took on a symbolic meaning. When people’s movements across borders are prevented, kites can become a symbol of hope - one can still go up, if not across. Made from traditional symbols of borders, the kites also act as a symbol of resistance to contemporary border regimes.

• Learn how artist Shorsh Saleh uses his art to explore themes of migration, border and identity 
• Why not research and discuss the challenges faced by refugees today? 
• Can you make your own art responding to these issues?

Artist Eve Shepherd worked with Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) to create this bust entitled Sea Deity. This artwork responds to the under-representation and marginalisation of displaced peoples such as refugees in history and misconceptions about their communities today. It depicts not just one person, but is a portrayal of an entire community and each object in the artwork holds a deeper meaning.

• What objects can you see in this bust? 
• What might they represent? Visit Eve Shepherd's blog to find out more.
• If you made a bust to represent you, which objects would you you choose? 
• What important things would they show about your identity?

Ship of Fools is a large oil painting by Kehinde Wiley. Created in 2017, the painting makes visible the problems that contemporary displaced people face. The artwork demands us to think about the dangerous journeys encountered in the hope of building a better life. Learn more about migration and the words we use to talk about displaced people.

Discussion points

What could make someone leave their country?

How might you feel about making this journey?