Refugee Week 2020 | Migration Stories

What do we mean by the term refugee?

Read an exclusive blog by the Migration Collective about the words we use around migration, and the impact they have.

Read the blog

Jacques-Joseph Tissot, Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich, 1878

Migration stories in the collection

Discover the objects in our collection created by people who were forced to leave their homes.

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Explore narrative maps

Explore artworks detailing journeys made by refugees into Serbia

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For centuries people have crossed land and sea in search of safety and security. The cultural heritage transported by migrating communities has undeniably shaped Britain’s history and identity.

Explore the rich stories of migration within the collection, hear from communities about their own diverse experiences and celebrate our shared histories and heritage.

Watch an interview with artist Shorsh Saleh and the Migration Collective

Shorsh Saleh

Shorsh Saleh is a Kurdish mixed media artist, carpet designer and weaver. His work focuses on the subject of migration, border and identity.

Selena Daly

Selena Daly is a board member of non-profit organisation The Migration Collective, and an historian of migration at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Home, belonging and imagined futures

In the run up to Refugee Week 2020 and this year's theme of 'Imagine' we wanted to connect with local community groups to explore the ideas of home, belonging and imagined futures. As we couldn't meet in person, we ran virtual creative workshops which were inspired by The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare and Ship of Fools of By Kehinde Wiley. Participants then made their own flags representing themselves and their hopes for the future.

Groups we worked with included Action for Refugees in Lewisham, Barnet Refugee Service and The Baytree Centre.

If you are part of a community group that would be interested in a similar workshop, please contact learning@rmg.co.uk