MECACS Art Exhibition: Reflections of displacement and exile – Yara Alansari Student Reflection

Yara Alansari is second year undergraduate student, pursuing a joint degree in International Relations and Geography. Yara is from Syria and has work experience doing advocacy, case management and psychosocial support for refugee, migrants, and asylum seekers in Egypt.

Exile is about relocation, loss, sadness, and the desire to belong. These complex emotions find representation and reflection in the realm of art.

Exile is a notion with deep historical significance. It includes the sensation of being forcibly removed from one’s homeland, separated from familiar surroundings, and flung into the unknown. As Edward Said explained, “Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience.” (Said, 2000. p137).

This summer, MECACS organized an art exhibition ‘Reflections on Exile and Displacement,’ which included artwork by artists from the Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus. The exhibition was spread across three venues: the University of St Andrews Arts Lecture Theatre Foyer, the Students’ Union, and St Andrews Library, which gave visitors the opportunity to experience movements and explore the concepts behind artists’ work, who hold the responsibility to highlight and reflect issues faced by individuals and families, such as displacement, and homelessness through to human rights and war. The exhibition acts as a link, connecting us to the stories of persons in exile, in which we are given a glimpse into their lives through the power of art, which allows us to experience compassion, empathy, and an increased understanding of the shared human experience.

Addressing themes of exile from diverse cultures has motivated me to volunteer at the exhibition. I am passionate about raising concerns about displacement and human rights along with advocate for marginalised communities. The art exhibition was an opportunity to engage with individuals who share my same interests and have desire to promote understanding, empathy and raise awareness of displacement societies.

Upon entering the Arts Lecture Theatre, you can first see the painting by Shatha Altowai, an artist from Yemen. The painting portrays a family, in which a woman protects her child while also providing food. Their faces look exhausted and frightened. The artist’s depiction of solitude and longing reflected the feelings that engulfed me during my own exile. Colour and texture seemed to reflect the intangible need for belonging that has become an intrinsic part of my own identity.

The exhibition also featured a series of photographs documenting the journey of women on a boat, struggling to put on her life jacket. The photos were taken by Qusai Aljaradat, a Palestinian photographer born in Syria. The artist’s portrayal captures the power, resilience, and tremendous human spirit that endures despite terrible catastrophes. Transcending geographical boundaries, these portraits are striking reminders of perilous migration experiences while trying to find a safe destination in which to survive with dignity. Bearing witness to these artworks has reminded me of the ability of art to bridge linguistic and cultural divides, forge links across disparate communities, and foster empathy for the exiled. The exhibition demonstrates the transforming power of art in exposing the human condition and advocating for justice and compassion.

As a refugee, this exhibition has profoundly influenced the way I feel, promoting a gamut of emotions ranging from sorrow and memory to perseverance and drive. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own journey and find peace in the shared experiences of people who experience exile as well. I left this exhibition with a renewed feeling of purpose and a resolve to use my voice and experiences to speak for people who are still marginalised and displaced.