Galwegians are being asked to contribute books for a special art library for Saharawi artists based in Tinduff refugee camps located in the Sahara desert in Algeria.
The call is being put out by Irish artists Augustine O’Donoghue and Neil Rudden, who are developing a project entitled Artists Solidarity Library.
The Tinduff refugee camps are the second oldest refugee camps in the world and home to over 165,000 people. The project will form part of an International Arts Festival Artifariti that is held in the camps each year.
The idea for the library originated through conversations with Sarahawi artists in the camps last year who expressed their desire to learn more about the lives and works of other artists.
The Saharawi artists are largely self-taught and have no access to art books of any. A small number have had opportunity to receive scholarships to train in universities in Cuba and Europe.
The project also originated as a response to the huge enthusiasm expressed by Saharawis of all ages from children to elderly people to participate and express themselves culturally, which the Irish artists witnessed in the camps over the last three years.
O’Donoghue and Rudden are calling on people to contribute books for the library, with the main emphasis being on art books, new or second-hand books, or catalogues covering all art forms fashion, fine art, ceramics, textiles, photography, film, and architecture are sought.
Good quality books on history, sociology, human rights, poetry, and novels are also welcome. Books in Spanish, French, Arabic, and English are sought. People are encouraged to write a solidarity message inside the book.
Those interested in donating books can leave them into the 126 gallery, Queen Street. See www.126.ie or call 091 - 569871.
