This project started with a feeling, became a connection and ended with a book. After almost a decade of an Artist Residency at The Mill Primary Academy, I took the children on a virtual trip to Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine. I carried their lovingly made artwork to Aida in 2023; messages of love and support printed by the schoolchildren using cyanotype on fabric. Residents in Aida made their own work which I brought back to the UK and, with the help of the schoolchildren, stitched into a 'Comfort Quilt'. Because no matter what is happening and the reasons why, everyone deserves to cuddle up in a safe, warm blanket and feel cosy. We had plans to connect with an elementary school in Israel in autumn 2023, but with huge sadness we watched war break out and we knew that everyone in the region would now be busy surviving these events. In order to process our feelings, we started work on the book 'Love is the Strongest Force'. In the book, children discuss how they feel about war, racism and football. At the time of writing, we have managed to start a little contact with a Steiner School in Israel and hope we can slowly develop our relationship with the children who attend it. Our artwork arriving in Aida Refugee Camp, Palestine |