PiB Guide Nº50 SEP/OCT 2023

‘A Polaroid for a Refugee’ (APfaR) will be coming to Berlin, Germany for the first time with an exhibition at coGalleries on 16-21st August. These unique hand-embroidered photographic portraits of refugees were taken over the last three years by Del Sarto. When each portrait was taken, a second Polaroid was given to the subject as a memento of their journey and on the back is written a simple statement: “Wherever your destination may be – tell me when you feel you have reached a safe place.” The portraits show their subjects in a relaxed and often carefree atmosphere, focusing on their individuality rather than depicting refugees as victims or heroes. This exciting project by artist Giovanna Del Sarto has already been exhibited in the UK (The Photographers Gallery Shop, London and The Migration Museum, London), Switzerland (winner of Lugano Photo Festival Women Open Call), Georgia and Italy. Proceeds from the sales of these works will go to the BorderFree Association charity based in Switzerland. This exhibition is being presented by Stuart Ritson, private art collector and Curator.

Giovanna Del Sarto is a London-based Italian documentary photographer, whose works have been exhibited in South Africa, Italy, Switzerland, Georgia and the UK.

It is a project based on the concept of giving – giving something back to the refugees, a moment of their life and journey captured forever. The Polaroids reflect the inner strength and dignity maintained by refugees during their long and harrowing journeys.” – Giovanna Del Sarto

The Exhibition:
Divided across two rooms, the exhibition will showcase the hand-embroidered portraits taken over the last three years as well as large form high-quality photographic prints of the portraits.

The Charity:
A significant portion of each artwork sold will go to the Charity BorderFree Association’s Mobile Dental Clinic. BorderFree Association was founded in 2015 in in Zurich, Switzerland. The charity is a non-profit organization providing direct humanitarian aid to refugees in Switzerland, Serbia and Greece. Their Mobile Dental Clinic gives access to refugees in camps throughout Serbia and Greece. The maintenance of the dental clinic amounts to approximately 4600 francs per month. With 150 francs they are enable the operation of the mobile clinic for one day.

Existing Press for the Project:
The Photographers Gallery Shop | Migration Museum | Fotografia Magazine | Lens Culture Magazine | My Modern Met Magazine

Aug 16 — 21, 2018
Opening Reception: Wednesday, August 15, 7 – 10 pm
Facebook Event

coGalleries

Torstraße 170, 10115 Berlin
[Mitte | Mitte]

Opening hours: Daily 12 – 6 pm

Admission free