Lampedusa Cross and Dark Water Burning World Bristol Display at M Shed
- Lampedusa Cross and Dark Water Burning World Bristol display runs until September 2022
A new exhibit has opened at M Shed as part of the A British Museum Spotlight Loan programme. This sees items from the British Museum touring across the country spending time in different cities.
The M Shed is currently playing host to Community and Refuge, which aims to touch on ‘ethical and practical challenges presented by mass movements of people’, as well responses to refugees.
The display features the Lampedusa Cross and Dark Water, Burning World.
The cross was one of many made by Francesco Tuccio from the wreckage of an overcrowded boat which capsized after catching fire. The boat had been filled with migrants from Somalia and Eritrea fleeing persecution and hoping for safety in Europe. A total of 311 lives were lost in the 2013 incident, despite the inhabitants on Lampedusa coming together to help.
The cross is displayed with Syrian-born artist, Issam Kourbaj’s Dark Water, Burning World. Tiny boats have been crafted from repurposed bicycle mudguards filled with burnt matches. The art represents the fragile vessels refugees use on their dangerous voyages.
A series of audio interviews conducted with five refugees and migrants living in Bristol accompanies the display.
The art will be on display until 18 September 2022
For more information about M Shed: https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/
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