Buttress is proud to sponsor ‘Children of Refuge: Messages of Hope’ an exhibition featuring works of art developed by children living in The Pankhurst Trust’s women’s refuges across Manchester.
Developed by 33 children during workshops held by arts organisation OddArts, the artworks document the children’s experiences as they adapt to life in a refuge and begin a fresh start in life. They include a video based on a young child’s feelings about moving into a refuge, a collection of framed pieces created around the theme of hope, and a series of postcards with messages of support addressed to new arrivals at the refuges.
Commenting on the exhibition, Chithra Marsh, Associate Director, said: “This project connects two subjects that are deeply important to us as a practice: people and creativity. At the heart of what we do as architects is use design to create spaces that make people comfortable, secure and at home, and we recognise the power that art has to inspire and positively change lives.
“So, when we were told about the art project and saw some of the fantastic work the children had produced, we were proud to lend our support. We have been incredibly impressed by how skilfully the children have drawn on their creative talents to turn their experiences into positive and powerful messages of hope.
"We hope that the exhibition will inspire more people to support the charity’s important work in providing women and children new, safe homes, free from fear.”
The Pankhurst Trust brings together Manchester Women’s Aid and the Pankhurst Centre and works to ensure that the powerful story of the women who won the right to vote continues to inspire us all to challenge gender inequality, and to ensure that those suffering from domestic abuse get the confidential help they need.
The exhibition is currently on display at Longsight Library and will move to Abraham Moss Library on May 17, and North City Library on June 3 to June 17.
Chithra Marsh
Chithra is a director at Buttress with more than 20 years of experience in commercial practice in both the public and private sectors.