A public exhibition in Liverpool will seek to understand how the arts can support those targeted by xenophobic abuse.
The showcase of work entitled Stories of Solidarity will be open to the public from Saturday 21st June to Wednesday 23rd June, 12:00–4:00pm daily and free tickets are bookable now via Eventbrite.
By exploring the networks of solidarity in place, the research allows previously unheard voices to contribute their creativity and oral testimonies, helping to develop a deeper understanding of how these processes unfolded during the summer disorder in the city in 2024.
The exhibition is part of an ongoing creative research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in partnership with Afloat Theatre, Asylum Link Merseyside, and the University of Liverpool.
Since February 2025, the project has been collecting stories through theatre, collage, zine-making and interviews with communities across Liverpool affected by the 2024 summer protests, looking for themes of solidarity, community and resistance within the counter-protests.
This will culminate in a Liverpool-wide zine produced later this year – a self-published magazine – showcasing community responses to these events.
Lead Artist, Phoebe McSweeney said:“The group really embraced working with these themes and it has been really powerful to explore how theatre and collage art can address marginalisation and offer a platform for the members to share their experiences of threat, solidarity and resilience. This exhibition is a continuation of the ongoing process of gathering stories and responses to our work, and we encourage our audience to share their own stories with us, as this will inform the content of the Stories of Solidarity Zine which will be published in autumn 2025.”
By centring community voices and participatory arts, Stories of Solidarity explores how creative practice can support community voices in telling their stories on their own terms – and shaping wider conversations about solidarity, care, and creative resistance.
Organisers are inviting visitors to reflect on art created in collaboration so far with Asylum Link Merseyside, Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, members of Al Rahma Mosque, L8 communities in Granby Winter Gardens/Squash Cafe. There will also be zine-making available and opportunities to contribute memories or suggestions to build wider conversations and shape the future directions of the project.
There will also be a private viewing on Friday 20th June (6-9pm) by invitation only, featuring immersive theatre performances by members of Afloat Theatre, co-produced with members of Asylum Link Merseyside. Members of community organisations or interested individuals please contact hbullen@liverpool.ac.uk if interested in a ticket for the private viewing.