Samantha Wilson’s illuminating portfolio highlights a dark corner of a global humanitarian crisis. Today we celebrate her outstanding work, paving the way to a Masters at the Royal College of Art next year.
“I know what it feels like to be a refugee and to experience the dehumanisation that comes with displacement from home and country. There are many borders to dismantle, but the most important are the ones within our own hearts and minds – these are the borders that are dividing humanity from itself.” Ai Weiwei
The total number of people forced to leave their homes fleeing war, poverty and persecution currently stands at 82.4 million – a new record high. In 2020, despite the pandemic’s pause on migration, 1.4 million people sought protection outside their home countries, with nearly 10 million forcibly displaced. While the media spotlight dims, NewBloodArt’s Samantha Wilson’s recent work succeeds in turning our focus back to refugees’ perilous physical and emotional journeys. Her portfolio is a vital advocacy tool to communicate these often-forgotten stories.
We are delighted to announce Wilson’s outstanding talent has led her to an MA at the Royal College of Art, focusing on Research in Art & Humanities. Due to begin in 2022, she will explore contemporary art as a tool to heighten empathy for displaced peoples in Europe, ultimately forming a pathway to a PhD. This will build on her existing work, which uses charcoal, ink and powder pigments; malleable materials juxtaposed with photography to create haunting, ominous figures which loom in our minds. Forced out of our comfort zone, we confront and reflect upon a global crisis happening under our noses.
We are excited to take the next steps of Wilson’s journey with her and watch her talent unfold, as she harnesses her creative process to educate us all on the power of contemporary art to help guide us to a more inclusive society.
