Green Lungs 2018
 

Building on the successful pilot project Green Lungs in 2016, Ampersand Projects developed a new programme for 2018 which commissioned two artists to co-produce new work with refugees and asylum seekers in green spaces in Birmingham during Spring  and Summer. The project aimed to improve health and wellbeing by promoting long-term access to these spaces.

The project included a series of creative participatory workshops at Cannon Hill Park, MAC  and Wildlife Trust Centre of the Earth in Winson Green and two exhibitions at MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) of participant work, documentation and newly commissioned artist works. 

The following artists were commissioned:

Sam Underwood is a sound artist and musical instrument designer. His work in musical instrument design focuses on the development of new musical instruments. These range from commissioned pieces, such as large-scale sub- bass instruments, to simple but playable instruments designed to be built by others in workshop settings. Deep listening is something he encourages in others through sound walks and listening workshops.

Malgorzata Adamowska is a visual artist whose practice explores cultural hybridisation, migration and settling. She creates interactive installations both in the gallery space and outdoor environments both in the UK and internationally. Her installation 'Front Room' at Ort Gallery was a life size installation of a traditional British front room found which invited visitors to experience it first hand. The work commented on the variety of cultures living in modern day Britain and sought to bring to light the subject of assimilation, ways of settling and inclusion of migrants.

We believe that projects like Green Lungs demonstrate the positive social impact great art and artists can have on place: fostering ownership of public space, unlocking new ways of seeing urban environments and giving a prominent voice to marginalised communities.

Green Lungs was funded by Arts Council England and MAC, and co-designed in partnership with St. Chad's Sanctuary and Wildlife Trust.