Rua Red is a multidisciplinary art centre located in the heart of Tallaght, that commission and produce work of deep relevance to the people who live in South Dublin County.
Work that initiates important discussion around social political issues that impact locally, nationally, and internationally. At Rua Red we are acutely conscious of our newly arrived communities who are currently experiencing great loss, trauma, displacement, and crisis due to the ongoing war on Ukraine.
Rua Red have invited Array Collective to work alongside Patty Abozaglo, Trauma and Wellness Facilitator on the Glencree Welcomes Refugees Project. The artists and facilitators will engage with the local refugee community in a series of facilitated dialogues, creative workshops, and well-being sessions; ensuring that individual voices are heard and valued.
The Array Collective is a group of individual artists based in Belfast, who create collaborative actions in response to socio-political issues. The Array Collective won the esteemed Turner Prize in 2021, they are a group of 11 artists who create collaborative actions in response to socio-political issues. They are known for projects that support "gay rights, marriage equality, feminism, reproductive rights and anti-austerity activism". They have been highly commended for their work to inspire social change through art and working collaboratively with local communities. The collective has been working together since 2016, motivated by the growing anger around human rights issues happening at the time.
The Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation works to prevent and transform political and inter-communal conflict and build peaceful, inclusive societies. Glencree’s Intercultural and Refugee Programme has been liaising with the South Dublin County Partnership for over 6 years in its wellness work with women from refugee backgrounds living in Clondalkin and will now engage with Ukrainian refugees living in Tallaght in this creative process for well-being. Patty Abozaglo, facilitates group sessions using Capacitar Multicultural Trauma Healing self-care practices and Laban Dance. Glencree’s experience is that these movement practices provide immediate benefits and support participants’ well-being and integration within local communities.
"Participants find the sessions very useful to reduce levels of stress and became more aware of their own bodies and stress carried in different body parts. The sessions help them to be more connected, to feel peaceful, calm and positive.” - Patty Abozaglo.
Feedback from participants, both refugees, and professionals working with refugees, has been very positive. One participant found it difficult to disconnect with her thoughts but at the end of the session she felt “more grounded, and her mind was quieter.” Another participant stated: “When I arrived, I had a headache, I felt heavy. Now my headache is gone. I feel better, and more relaxed.” Another participant said following the session that they were now: “Feeling good! I had fun, positive energy. I want more!”
Together the artists and facilitator will work with Ukrainian families, who are living in the nearby hotels, in an open-ended, creative process.
This project is supported by South Dublin County Council Arts Office.
