New Art Studio
New Art Studio is a therapeutic art studio for asylum seekers and refugees based in London. The Studio is a unique space offering a holistic approach to recovery and personal integration through art therapy and community. Our members have survived imprisonment, torture, loss of family, of country, of home, and now face a restricted life in the UK. Through art-making and developing meaningful relationships, often over a number of years, we support our members in the group to rebuild their lives following the trauma of forced migration. Many of our members have never made art before, but the studio atmosphere of non-judgemental creativity brings out unknown and unexplored abilities.
ZSL (Zoological Society of London)
Founded in 1826, ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. Our mission is realised through our ground-breaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two Zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
With thanks
Refugia is funded by a NERC grant to support public engagement with environmental science research.
We are grateful to additional support from Ziath. Ziath are experts in biological sample management using 2D barcodes. Founded in 2005, Ziath develops new products that are designed to simplify processes in life science organisations, from academia to biotechnology industries.
Refugia is a free pop-up exhibition creatively exploring wildlife conservation with asylum seekers and refugees
Conservation and caring for wildlife and our planet are often seen as a privilege, but despite not having stable housing and food access, asylum seekers and refugees have a deep respect for nature and an interest in how they can protect it.
Over the past six months Refugia, an equitable engagement programme, created a space for therapeutic art practice alongside wildlife conservation. Refugia has been developed by the wildlife conservation charity Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the therapeutic arts group for asylum seekers and refugees, the New Art Studio. This unique programme focused on topics at the interface of wildlife conservation and the lived experiences and cultures of asylum seekers and refugees. Hence the name ‘Refugia’, derived from the scientific term meaning ‘an area in which a population of living things can survive through a period of unfavourable conditions’; a term uniting themes relevant to both members of the New Art Studio and ZSL conservationists.
With access to art materials, translators and ZSL London Zoo, ZSL’s researchers and New Arts Studio members were able to share insights and exchange experiences on topics including urban wildlife, wildlife and people, life in water, forests and animal migration.
The fully co-created programme enabled a safe and inclusive environment for mutual learning, expression, discussion and understanding. By making art together, participants connected in profound ways, immersed in the therapeutic benefits of nature and art.
This exhibition explores themes that emerged throughout the programme and showcases the beautiful, and often poignant, art produced by participants of Refugia.
Refugia was enabled by a National Environment Research Council (NERC) grant to support Public Engagement with the Environment.
Our aim was to develop a fully co-created, equitable programme with a community that is generally under served by science engagement and likely not able to access ZSL’s Zoos, our people and our work. Together, members of New Art Studio and ZSL conservationists have learnt from each other and shared histories and experiences. In doing so, we have brought a wealth of knowledge from our home cultures and heritage to consider how we care for wildlife and the environment, now and in the future.
Importantly, we were committed to creating a space where everyone involved would feel safe, valued, heard and cared for. Over five sessions, we explored different themes in wildlife conservation, and used this as a basis to inspire our creative interests, while trying new art techniques, such as printing and cyanotype. The programme was co-created between ZSL and the New Art Studio, meaning we planned to explore ZSL conservation topics that matched the stated interests and priorities of New Art Studio members. Similarly, we focused on creative techniques that were highlighted interest.
This exhibition offers all participants the opportunity to exhibit their art and to see exhibiting as a part of how the New Art Studio supports its members’ mental health and personal development, to grow in confidence as artists and as active members of the community. It is also an opportunity for the public to gain a better understanding of both wildlife conservation, and what it is like to seek asylum and live as a refugee in the UK.
In each session a different research theme was explored. This corresponds to the theme listed with the art works in the exhibition:
Human wildlife coexistence
Human development can only be sustainable if it does not destroy the ecosystems on which people and wildlife depend. Yet, the global human population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, which will place unprecedented pressures on the planet’s support systems. Conserving biodiversity is an enormous challenge and will depend on a sound understanding of the complex interdependencies between people and nature. In this session, we explored the relationship between wildlife and people.
Life in Cities
Urban areas are expanding and the proportion of the UK’s population living in cities is increasing. Although we are not always aware of it, we share our cities with a host of wildlife. ZSL is researching the impact of traffic-related pollution on brain health in grey squirrels. And with hedgehog numbers in Britain declining by 46% since 2010, we learned about where hedgehogs occur, their threats and to monitor other mammals in these spaces, such as foxes and badgers. In this session, we explored nature in our cities and the challenges it faces. We also shared the importance of connecting with nature London’s in city parks and green spaces.
Forests
Nearly 10% of the Earth's surface is covered by forests. They are some of the most biodiverse habitats and provide valuable ecosystem services. Human activity has led to the loss of over half of the world's forests. In this session we shared ZSL’s research on forests and discussed the importance of forests for wildlife and people. We shared how ZSL uses satellite images to map tropical forests and ancient woodlands, and work in encouraging sustainable use of palm oil and other materials.
Animal Migration and Translocation
Migration is when animals travel from one habitat to another and search of food, better conditions, or reproductive needs. For animals, migration often happens seasonally and involves a return journey. Many migratory species may need special conservation measures and may have limited protection as they travel over very long distances through different countries.
Many different animals migrate, including whales, eels, birds, butterflies, bats, and zebras; in this session we learned about their migration and behaviour. Another form of animal movement is “translocation”. This is where a species on the brink of extinction is moved by conservationists, back to areas where their species used to exist. ZSL is at the forefront of this work.
Life in water
Marine and freshwater ecosystems cover approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface and are essential for supporting life on our planet. They play a vital role in climate regulation and nutrient cycling, and we are dependent on them for drinking water and for food. Despite this, aquatic habitats are less understood than their terrestrial habitats and are faced with increasing threats. ZSL’s Estuaries and Wetlands Team research a range of ecosystems in the UK from rivers, streams, wetlands and ponds to estuaries and the ocean.
A.K.
I am from Iran. I started painting when I was a child. My favourite material for painting is oils – they provide my favourite colours. I use acrylic, watercolour and coloured pencils. I love nature and animals, and most of my paintings are about this. The art studio is great for what it's doing for people.
Alex
I paint a lot of animals and nature. I like mountains and rivers, the sea and the forests.
I like to draw animals free in nature, like eagles flying. I study colour and drawing is important to me because I am quiet in myself. l used to use pencils before but I use acrylics now and I want to try oil painting. I once tried watercolour but that medium is maybe not good for me and now I just use acrylics. I used to do wood carving a long time ago. I could demonstrate this artform if I had the tools.
Brahmin
I joined New Art Studio in 2016 and have been encouraged to make art. My family has glass-making traditions and sometimes I can see the patterns of glass mosaics in my own artwork. I'm not sure what my artwork means, only that I have an urge to make it. I usually wake up at 4 in the morning and start my day by painting. It brings me a lot of joy to be able to communicate freely through colours and shapes, and it gives me a sense of hope. I got some recognition for my art when it was published on an Oxford book cover, and the curator of Outsider Art bought some of my images to be exhibited in Paris.
Ellie Morse
Since her undergraduate degree in Zoology and Master’s in Primate Conservation, Ellie combined her passion for wildlife conservation with her creative communications skills to follow a career in science communications and engagement. At ZSL, she enabled staff and students to raise the profile of their work using a range of platforms. Ellie is a big animal lover, and when she’s not drawing animals, she can often be found on a walk trying to inadvertently steal other people’s dogs (until she can have her own!). She now is Communications Officer, at LSHTM's Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, where she manages strategic communications for the affiliated projects including the Pathfinder Initiative and the Environment and Health Modelling Lab.
Hasan Bölücek
Hasan was born in Turkey and lives and practices his art in London about 15 years. He loves to telling stories by illustrating and painting, Most of the stories and the characters of his art work inspired from drag queens and many different queer individuals.
‘Power of the telling stories is helping me feel strong and being part of colourful and peaceful life. Painting and illustrating brings me peace and offers me a place to medicate on lights, colours and patterns of the world.’
Heidi Ma
Heidi Ma is a postdoctoral researcher in conservation science with an interdisciplinary background. Heidi conducts research and manages conservation projects on threatened wildlife species, working internationally with other researchers, nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations, governing authorities, local communities at project sites, and funders, and engaging the public to raise awareness of global conservation issues. Heidi is also an artist working primarily in drawing and painting. Along with zoology and nature, the visual arts have been both a life-long passion and an academic interest to Heidi, who studied visual arts and art history at university. Heidi draws inspiration from natural and human-built environments, and increasingly try to explore ways in which art and environmental science can intersect. Heidi is interested in how scientist-artists respond to the natural environment and environmental issues through either or both perspectives. Heidi has sold work to fundraise for charitable causes, such as supporting conservationists after the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in 2021.
J.L.
When I focus on drawing, I feel myself calming. If I think too much, I cannot draw.
When I see something that I am interested in, I copy it and when I'm drawing these things, they give me pleasure. Normally I use pencils.
Lucy Brown
I am the Creative Producer for Refugia, and the Public Engagement with Science Manager at ZSL. I have worked closely with Ruanna and Jasmin from the New Art Studio to make Refugia happen. I specialise in bringing people together to produce projects with a shared vision, that feel good, and look nice. I care about the planet and everything living on it; I feel feisty when they’re not treated properly. I use engagement to create long-term impact, and support researchers to do the same. In my work I aim to identify and support the needs of all involved, share the issues that matter, and create conversations that provoke change.
(I also happen to have done the graphics for Refugia too).
Masi
I studied English Translation and came to The UK in 2010. I have a little son who is the most precious person in my life. I started painting back in my country and couldn't continue when I came here until I joined New Art Studio in 2018 and have been back doing art ever since. To me, painting is like mindfulness and meditation. I don't think of anything when painting and I feel lost in the colours.
Mehmet Arslan
I was interested in painting as a child and in my teenage years. This painting evolved into cartoons after college and I still draw them today. I have participated in many solo and group exhibitions and received several awards in competitions. Because of my cartoons, I was tried in court several times and sentenced. And because of this, I had to flee to England to avoid being imprisoned and to be able to make art in a free environment. Engraving (etching) and screen printing are some of the styles that I do, but they require a larger space and more tools than other arts, so I still haven't had the opportunity to do these in England. I find working with children and young people very important. I’ve been to UK 5 years. I built a small workshop in the garden of our house, consisting only of discarded doors. And I intend to continue my art studies there. Art is a method to endear and colour the world, life and relationships.
Merry Crowson
Merry Crowson is a PhD student at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and the University of Reading. Merry is interested in environmental and biodiversity monitoring to inform policy and decision making. Her work focuses on the use of big data and machine learning within monitoring efforts. Merry’s current research aims to demonstrate how large and diverse biodiversity datasets could be effectively combined to regularly assess the distribution and quality of natural capital assets and flows. The project will focus on England, taking advantage of the unprecedented biodiversity data that is available.
Patricia Brekke
Patricia Brekke is a Research Fellow at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology. Her research focus is on adaptation and the ecological, genetic and evolutionary consequences of conservation interventions and management of species under anthropogenic threat. To do this, Patricia applies genetic, quantitative genetic and genomic techniques to wild and captive-bred populations of threatened birds. Patricia collaborates with government bodies, NGOs/charities and community groups, which enables me to successfully apply her research. More recently, Patricia has been developing a program of research on emergent threats to wildlife looking specifically at the impact of air pollution from vehicle emissions on wildlife genetic health using the invasive Eastern grey squirrel as a model system.
Reyhanneh
I came to the UK in December 2010. I have a degree in Environmental Health from Iran and my passion is to continue that work in the UK. I just finished my English and Maths GCSE and feel more confident to pursue the dream that I left behind.
I joined New Art Studio in 2013. Art-making helps me express my desire for freedom, especially for women. I usually paint flowers, birds and women. I'm inspired by nature and the beauty of women – and women being appreciated and free to blossom in their own way. I'm an activist for women's rights.
S.K.
The most important thing for me is my mental health. I only create art when I feel. When I am going through something mentally and if I am affected mentally and emotionally.
Sandra Doyle
Sandra Doyle has been volunteering in the ZSL Library since 2014, where she has helped digitize the historic photographs of ZSL’s accountant F.W.Bond (1887-1942), and ZSL Curator of Birds and Council Member, David Seth-Smith (1875-1963). Sandra is also a
volunteer in the Insect Division of the Science Group of the Natural History Museum, London, where she is currently curating the British Adelidae or Fairy Longhorn moths. Sandra grew up on a Dorset farm where her childhood days would be spent exploring the countryside, with a field guide, sketchbook and collecting jar, contemplating the nature around her. This led Sandra to study Scientific Illustration at Middlesex polytechnic and she has been illustrating the natural world for over thirty years.
Working in watercolour, ink or coloured pencil, Sandra has provided artwork for many natural history publications and exhibitions, currently with work in artist Jasmina Cibic’s installation ‘Charm Offensive’ in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, New Zealand and in ‘Works on Paper’ at The Gallery at Green & Stone, London.
Solomon Grace
I come from Ukraine. As an artist the New Art Studio has been like a maternity home for me. Throughout my childhood I trained in art and design. However I then had more than 25 years from my art work. My forced relocation and the loss of everything as well as my ability to work forced me to look at myself again. I value the creativity of the atmosphere provided by Tania, Jon, Ruanna and Jasmin in the New Art Studio, with my past and present.
Verity Miles
Verity Miles is a PhD student based at Imperial College London, in collaboration with the Institute of Zoology and Natural England. Verity’s research interests are broad across ecology and conservation. She is particularly interested in the tools we can use to solve ecological challenges, such as the use of remote cameras to monitor population trends and inform conservation initiatives. Verity’s current research on badgers contributes to the debate on the control of bovine tuberculosis, a respiratory disease of mammals that can be transmitted between cattle and badgers.
ZSL Archive Collection: Sir Walter Elliot
Based in ZSL Library, the Archives of ZSL are a range of records of interest to researchers in zoo history. The majority of the records have been produced as a result of ZSL’s activities. The main use of the Archives will be for the history of ZSL itself and the zoos it owns: London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo; however there are other uses as varied as family history and studies of culture and society.
New Art Studio Participants
“I hope in my life I can fly just like a bird without walls, stops, and rules.”
“I know now that nature, animals, and the environment are going through difficult and challenging times just like humans, and the way we need help, nature also needs help.”
“We understood each other's artwork and journey. Sometimes I'm chatting with someone but not the whole group about my story. I think that it was really, really good for me to know everybody’s journey a little bit more. That was really nice I wish we could have more time to listen to people more.”
“I am not afraid of nature, only I am afraid of humans. Nature doesn't intend us harm, does not wish to harm us, but humans can be cruel and harmful. A lion, a tiger, they look large and dangerous, powerful, but they do not want to hurt us, they are beautiful and their eyes look gentle. But people, they do harm.”
“I left my country at a young age and went through so many difficulties and struggles. You do pay the price of not having childhood and education to have a better life."
“The term ‘warm places’ is heard a lot recently and from day one I felt really welcomed.”
“I just realised how we became a really close friendship circle with people working at the zoo and people from the studio. We developed this friendship very quickly right from the beginning.”
“It was good to be outside of the studio together. This was kind of new because I haven't been out with this group."
“All the information they were giving was very interesting. I don’t remember getting bored in any of the projects. I’ve always been really interested and really happy to learn.”
“Learning how connected animals in nature are with humans was good for me. I did not have this information before. It’s a new way to understand things differently so thanks for that.”
ZSL Participants
“Working with the NAS members taught me patience, which was needed for explaining research, teaching someone how to draw, communicating with language barriers, and articulating complex topics. Organizing the programme, including giving and receiving feedback amongst our own team and with New Art Studio staff was a great learning experience that gave me exposure to working with people besides researchers and conservation professionals.”
“I am inspired by the art therapists working at New Art Studio and will look more into art therapy and ways to improve nature-connectedness for different groups of people, especially art activities involving animals and nature as subject matter. Both art making and connection with nature have effective healing properties (with empirical evidence to support), which was great to experience first-hand through this project and fulfilling to be able to have provided this opportunity for other people.”
“As well as getting to know the New Art Studio group, it has also been a great opportunity to hear from some of my own colleagues and learn more about their research. Finally, to be able to do all of this through the medium of art made me so happy! I feel inspired after meeting the New Art Studio to continue my own artistic practice again, and to consider how it can be used in a therapeutic way.”
“My experience of the project as a whole has been fantastic, and I’m very grateful to have been involved, to have learned about the incredible work of the New Art Studio, and met their wonderful members. I hope we can continue this with more sessions in the future!”
“I can genuinely say this entire project was one of my highlights of 2022. The people, the activities and the challenges of both learning new skills and interacting with so many new people, including colleagues I’d never met made it such a memorable experience. Watching everybody open up in confidence in both their interactions and art work as the sessions went on was such a lesson in patience. I would be honoured to continue working with the new art studio and its members and hope that ZSL can continue this partnership.”
