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GemArts

A Glimpse of Beauty (Part of the UNITY Programme)

This was an exciting 13 week programme working with Muslim women who access the centre from a diverse range of countries, mainly speaking Arabic or Urdu as a first language.  Emma Sheridan was the Lead Artist and other sessional artists included Lubna Khan, a female Muslim writer and poet; and Kate Sweeny an audio visual artist.  The group used mixed media – including materials they hadn’t used before.  The work developed from a piece of textiles to an installation using visual art, poetry/spoken word and audio to recite the spoken word /poetry. 

The brilliant installation piece was exhibited at Cluny 2 in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne in June 2010, where family and friends were invited to celebrate the achievements of the women. One lady said that this had ‘enabled the group to ask questions about what it is to live in Newcastle and issues they face…..there are no other courses that explore these issues, so we will miss the sessions when the project finishes’