A WIRRAL artist is marking World Refugee Day with her latest exhibition.
Kate Pinch, from Bebington, has previously worked on designs for Radisson Red, Ancestry UK, and Eureka! Science and Discovery and will now be displaying her graphic art at a one-day pop-up event at Arts Bar on Hope Street, Liverpool.
Katie, who graduated from John Moores university in 2018, has previously showcased work at the same venue including International Women’s Day exhibitions.
She said: “I’ve seen my work exhibited many times in public but it's always better when it’s in aid of a good cause.
“I’m delighted to be taking part in the event. I’m always happy to work with the team there they’re really respectful of artists and genuinely believe in the causes they support.”
Visual arts curator for Arts Bar Hope Street, Laura McCann, said she is “proud” of what the team do to champion independent creative. She added: “Art transcends geographical borders and language barriers, so we wanted show how it can bring people together by hosting artists from around the world and the local community.”
There will be two international artists exhibiting at the venue next week. Marzieh, who is originally from Iran, cites Henri Matisse as a big influence and says Persian calligraphy is an essential aspect of her work, commenting that, “it reflects my identity and deep connection to my Persian roots”.
Mariana Po is from Kyiv but had to relocate after the Russian invasion last year. Mariana recently gained recognition after designing a large piece of graphic art that spanned the bottom of Bold Street, celebrating Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Contest on behalf of Ukraine.
Arts Bar Hope Street hopes the day raises awareness but also funds and a pound from every special World Refugee Day drink sold will go to charity. Additionally, all the artists involved in the event have pledged 10% of profits will go to the same charity, namely Sahir House’s life-saving LGBTQ+ Refugee & Asylum Service, for which the charity currently receives no funding to operate.
Sahir House’s CEO Ant Hopkinson said: “The Arts Bar’s World Refugee Day Exhibition is a fantastic initiative and one which we very much welcome. Whilst Merseyside is renowned for being friendly and welcoming it is clear that relevant practical and emotional support is still sorely lacking and funding is scarce.
“We need all the help and donations we can muster to continue to operate our vital support services”.
The World Refugee Day event is on June 20 from 12-6pm at Arts Bar Hope Street and entry is free to all.
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