Canning Town exhibition highlights Olympics legacy for migrant children

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Thursday, October 18, 2012
6:00 AM

A photo exhibition opening on Friday will highlight what the Olympics and Paralympics meant for Roma and migrant children.

A dozen children, aged eight to 14, from Roma, Slovak and Polish communities living in Newham, were brought together by The Children’s Society and Click Academy artist Marta Kotlarska, with associated artists Karina Bedkowska and Eva Lis, to show what sport means to them.

The youths created 20 pinhole photographs and an animated film featuring creative interpretations of Roma dancing and Olympic sports that most captured their imaginations for the three-week exhibition. The results will be shown at The Hub in Star Lane, Canning Town from October 19 to November 8.

Roma are among the most excluded minorities in the world and are often from disadvantaged families. As a result of discrimination and social exclusion, these children have limited access to the arts.

Kasia Falkiewicz, of The Chiildren’s Society’s New Londoners Programme, said: “Through the arts, we hoped to raise awareness of the new European migrants and Roma’s cultural background to promote a positive picture of their contribution to London life.”