Birds Of The Sea, Rats Of The Sky

This exhibition is inspired by the theme of the Refugee Festival in Scotland 2024, ‘Rise’. 

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Iranian artist and New Scot, Mayah, connected the word ‘Rise’ with the concept of awakening something within yourself in order to stay hopeful, even when it feels like there is no hope around.

This reminded her of the positive and liberating feelings she experienced while watching seagulls flying in Iran. She also recognised that in Glasgow, seagulls are often viewed less favourably and elicit a different response.

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This exhibition is a beautiful and thought-provoking collection of work, bringing together many different stories, images, memories and cultures.

The first part of the show is a body of Mayah’s work that has been made over the last 5 years.

Her hope is that it inspires the viewer to think ‘I can do something like what she did.’ That is, to look around themselves and think about what they have and what's possible.

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The second part includes 20 artists' responses to an open call which invited people to capture the memories, meanings, or metaphors that seagulls evoke for them. Each artist has chosen to use their skills and talents to raise awareness and funds for SOHTIS.

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SOHTIS works to end human trafficking in Scotland by:

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• identifying and recovering victims of trafficking and exploitation

• providing long term support and advocacy for survivors

• amplifying lived experience to influence policy