Ritournelle

A site-responsive installation hosted by St John the Baptist church in Newcastle, Ritournelle (once more, from the top) by Katia Kameli was the result of a short residency in Summer 2017, programmed in collaboration with Platforma, an arts and refugee network.

This site-specific art work filled the small diamond panes of glass with coloured film, in patterns that recalled design and architecture motifs native to some of the primary countries from which refugees and migrants relocate to Newcastle. Countries and designs referenced include Punjabi Phulkari and Congolese Kuba textiles and Iraqi mosaic design.

Kameli also invited migrants and refugees from the city, as well as members of the church choir, to sing a song which reminds them of home. These songs were recorded in situ at St John the Baptist and were available to listen to in the church.