ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how a group of migrant women in South East London uses participatory arts to challenge and resist the bordering of migrant communities through the UK hostile environment policies. These women form a community of Stronger Together Leaders within Creating Ground CIC, a not-for-profit organisation, who work to promote cross-cultural awareness, learning, and sharing across different communities through collaborative arts and educational projects. This chapter looks at the processes and creative methodologies used to create safe spaces for women to be their authentic self and to find strength in expressing their vulnerability through creativity. This enables the Leaders to utilise arts-based and creative practices for change, by breaking down the cross-cultural borders that have widened as a result of the UK’s hostile environment and increased restrictions on people’s civil rights. We highlight the artwork co-produced during lockdown as part of our campaign on the UK hostile environment and the implications of the policies on migrant people’s everyday lives. Finally, our chapter reflects on how these women are building an alternative imaginary by becoming active agents of change, both in terms of empowering themselves and their communities, and by telling their stories from their own perspective using art.
