05.Translations
Exhibition
2023
Inspired by the Welsh oral tradition of Eisteddfod (or sitting together), and drawing from Alan Bell's insights in his Guidebook to Sociolinguistics, Translations is a multilingual arts & poetry exhibition, exploring the intricate relationship between language and identity. The exhibition features six artists and poets; each examining how language shapes and reshapes our understanding of self and society, igniting conversations about cultural heritage, linguistic preservation, and the profound impact of language on societal structures. The participating artists navigate the complexities of diasporic identity, exploring how language serves as a conduit for cultural reconnection and resilience. They confront the spectre of linguicide and language suppression, exposing the insidious ways in which colonialism, imperialism, and white supremacy seek to erase linguistic diversity. At the heart of Translations lies a commitment to storytelling, poetry, and word weaving as both artistic practice and praxis — a means of amplifying marginalised voices and reclaiming agency over narratives of identity and belonging.