Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover: Book Launch with Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover is the culmination of ‘Co-hostings’, a project developed with over 40 refugees and asylum seekers attending the English classes at City of Sanctuary Sheffield. This last stage of the project brings to life a two-year engagement process that Bahbak undertook at City of Sanctuary, where he shared hundreds of conversations with the English class attendees, centred on issues around belonging, safety, rootedness in Sheffield, and the role that English language and its translations hold.

Co-authored with the participants in 7 languages and illustrated with drawings by Danielle Rhoda, the phrase book is a tool for those who are learning English for the first time, reflecting their stories, hopes, ideas and challenges.

Danielle’s illustrations have also been turned into a mural inside City of Sanctuary by Jo Hicks that you will be able to view at this event. The drawings and illustrations accompanying the phrase book offer a nuanced visual journey into the stories, circumstances, and desires that participants at City of Sanctuary shared.

TICKETS: Although this event is free, we would encourage you to register for the event to help us gauge interest. Please arrive promptly.

ACCESS: This event will take place at City of Sanctuary Sheffield, located on Chapel Walk in the City Centre. The main event will take place on the ground floor which has seating, level access, and disabled toilets. The mural is located in the basement which unfortunately does not have step free access. Refreshments will be provided.

If you would like more access information please email: [email protected]

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad designs across multiple scales, from public spaces to games, objects, and interiors. His work combines anthropology, aesthetics, and play, developing methodologies through real-life projects that actively engage the public in design processes. Hashemi-Nezhad has developed projects, and led masterclasses in the UK and internationally. His collaborations include the Serpentine Galleries, Greater London Authority, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shanghai Biennale, and Liverpool Biennial, among others.

Danielle Rhoda is an illustrator/ animator originally from Poland and currently based working between Manchester and London. Danielle gravitates towards illustrating different people and depicting diversity in a delicate and sensitive but naive way.

City of Sanctuary Sheffield is an independent charity working in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary. Their vision is for Sheffield to be a place of safety and welcome for people seeking sanctuary. Established in 2005, City of Sanctuary Sheffield has evolved from an idea of welcome to a diverse movement creating safety and welcome for people seeking sanctuary across the UK.

Please note: A photographer will be present to document this event. Photos will be used by Arts Catalyst for documentation and marketing purposes. If for any reason this does not feel comfortable, please let one of the organisers know at the start of the event and we'll make sure you do not appear in any photos.

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