Project Overview:

The Stranger’s Tale was a socially engaged project that delved into the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers living in Hull. Led by artist Quentin Budworth, it used photography, audio recordings, and storytelling to give voice to an often marginalised community. The Stranger’s Tale culminated in a public exhibition and a dedicated website, creating a platform for empathy, understanding, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Client: Open Doors Community Project (Hull)

Objectives:

• To provide a platform for refugees and asylum seekers in Hull to share their stories and experiences.
• To foster greater understanding and empathy within the wider community towards those seeking refuge.
• To challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about refugees and asylum seekers.
• To create a high-quality exhibition and online resource that would raise awareness of the issues faced by refugees.
• To empower participants by providing them with new skills and a platform to express themselves.
• To explore the history of refugees in Hull going back to the 19th Century.

Methodology:

Quentin Budworth’s approach to The Stranger’s Tale reflects his core principles of social engagement, co-authorship, and community empowerment. The methodology included:

• Building Trust and Rapport: Quentin Budworth invested time in building relationships with participants, creating a safe and supportive environment for sharing personal stories. The blog documents this process, highlighting the importance of sensitivity and respect when working with vulnerable individuals.
• Collaborative Storytelling: The project was built on a foundation of collaborative storytelling. Participants were actively involved in shaping the narrative, choosing how they wanted to be represented and what stories they wanted to share.
• Multi-Media Approach: The Stranger’s Tale utilised a combination of photography, audio recordings, and written text, creating a rich and multi-layered experience for the audience.
• Empowerment Through Skill-Sharing: Participants were given the opportunity to learn new skills in photography and audio recording, empowering them to tell their stories in their own way.
• Ethical Considerations: The project adhered to strict ethical guidelines, ensuring the safety, dignity, and anonymity of participants. The blog reflects Budworth’s awareness of the ethical complexities involved in working with vulnerable communities.
• Public Exhibition and Online Platform: The project culminated in a public exhibition at a local church, creating a space for dialogue and interaction between different communities. A dedicated website (https://thestrangerstale.wordpress.com/) provided a lasting platform for the stories and extended the project’s reach.

Results:

The Stranger’s Tale achieved significant impact, both for the participants and the wider community :

• Amplified Voices: The project provided a powerful platform for refugees and asylum seekers to share their stories, challenging stereotypes and fostering empathy.
• Community Engagement: The exhibition and website created opportunities for dialogue and understanding between different communities in Hull. The blog documents the positive reception of the exhibition and the impact it had on visitors.
• Increased Awareness: The project raised awareness of the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers, both locally and beyond.
• Participant Empowerment: Participants gained new skills and confidence through their involvement in the project. The blog highlights the transformative effect of the project on individuals’ lives.
• Lasting Resource: The website serves as a lasting resource, providing valuable insights into the refugee experience in Hull.

Testimonials:

I am more than excited about Quentin’s remarkable project. Naturally The Stranger’s Tale will help raise awareness of Open Doors but more than that it is raising awareness of the issues that our clients face.

I have witnessed Quentin at work, talking to our clients and, by working with him, they have undoubtedly gained confidence and he has encouraged them to share their stories and that is an outstanding accomplishment. He has built up a lot of trust with clients during the time that he has spent working on The Strangers Tale and that is no easy task.

We are very much looking forward to the launch and for others to find out about Open Doors and the many people that are a part of our community.

Bashir Siraj, Project Coordinator at Open Doors Project

Here is the feedback from the public to the exhibition from the visitors book:

There has been a lot of activity to promote the show on Facebook and Twitter which has seen a very positive to the project. I am pleased to say that there was no trolling.

Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/thestrangerstale  I used my personal Twitter feed to promote the project @quentinbudworth

Jerome Whittingham commissioned Michelle Dee to write a review of the exhibition for the Humbercare website  http://www.humberhelp.co.uk/features/features/the-strangers-tale.html

Fortuitously the exhibition coincided with The Humber Mouth Literature festival which was also hosted mainly at the Central Library. I asked Humber Mouth poet for hire Tim Siddall writes about ‘The Stranger’s Tale’ this is what he said:

Here’s a picture of Tim at work

In addition to the opening event I was asked by Anna Bean photography lecturer at Hull School of Art and Design to talk to her third year students. After viewing the work we had a lively discussion about the work and the role of photography as art within a social context. Photographs by Anna Bean.