Aida Silvestri
Artist text follows.
More information on the body of work:
Aida Silvestri’s conceptual mixed-media portraits convey the perilous journeys of Eritrean refugees to the United Kingdom and aim to raise awareness of human trafficking and the global migration crisis. Accompanied by fragmented text poems inspired by lived experiences and personal testaments, the blurred black-and-white portraits are annotated with a map of each individual’s travel routes. Hand-stitched onto the photographic print surface with coloured thread, the intricacies of the lines represent the complexity of their voyages and the difficulties they endured en route to safety and freedom. The faces of Silvestri’s participants remain disguised to protect their identities and families for fear of persecution. The title of the series expresses a double sentiment of endurance and resilience, inspired by a message of hope inscribed on the walls of Mount Sinai: “Even This Will Pass”.