3 April 2024
HOME Open Exhibiting Artists OPEN LETTER

Dear HOME,

We are writing to you as a united cohort of Exhibiting Artists from the Manchester HOME Open Exhibition 2024. We are writing to express our deep disappointment, anger and shame in response to your decision to cancel the Voices of Resilience: A Celebration of Gazan Writing event that was due to take place on the 22nd April.

We feel this decision deeply contradicts the feelings of HOME visitors, creative workers, staff, supporters and those who felt they could trust HOME to be a voice of justice and reason. Your decision and silence could not be further from this, and results in your active complicity with the genocidal colonialism taking place towards the Palestinian people.

HOME, you have attempted to sweep the widespread and relentless suffering, genocide and continuous silencing of the Palestinian people under the carpet. We hope this letter is a reminder that we as artists that are currently being represented by HOME will not comply with this censorship and actively oppose it; we will raise our voices on behalf of those whom you have tried to silence. The motivations behind the cancellation are unclear, and we urge you to provide transparency and justification for your decision making. We do not accept the excuse of safety concerns and coining HOME as a “politically neutral” space to be one that upholds any logic, sense or credibility, at least in relation to HOME’s own policies and previous events you have hosted.

Your programming speaks for itself on these matters, with a rolling stream of Art, Cinema and Theatre that frequently explores the devastating effects of colonialism, warfare and displacement. HOME’s history of political consciousness includes their recent event hosting genocide denier and US politician Bernie Sanders; the Theatre production Silence which explores the violence and devastation faced by Partition; and even the statue of the political theorist Friedrich Engels commissioned by and installed on the doorstep of HOME. If political neutrality is the stance that HOME wishes to move forward with then we envision that your gallery walls will be bare, your cinema screens blank and your stages empty. Artistic expression is inherently political: you only need to look at the work in the HOME Open to evidence this.

Artistic freedom and safety does not exist under oppression and colonialism. HOME should set a standard for artistic integrity; neutrality on a genocide or normalisation of the slaughter and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians is unacceptable in Manchester. We as a cohort have decided to withdraw our artworks from the Home Open 2024 in protest of your decision.

OUR DEMANDS:

• HOME to Reinstate the event ‘Voices of Resilience’

• HOME to release a formal apology addressing HOME’s insensitivity to Palestinian suffering and in support of a permanent ceasefire

• HOME to address what steps will be taken in committing to anti-racism, specifically anti-Palestinian racism and anti-Islamophobia

• HOME to facilitate a public forum where community members from the Palestinian diaspora and their allies can express their concerns, provide feedback, and engage directly with the leadership of HOME

• HOME to protect freedom of speech and ensure the safety from sanctions toward any HOME member of staff or team member, including volunteers, who sign and share this letter and share our views in any form.

SIGNED IN SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE AND THE VOICES OF RESILIENCE TEAM, HOME OPEN ARTISTS

Freya Wysocki

Rhianwen Williams

Joe O'Rourke

Sophia Gardiner

Ella Booth-Pryce

Maria Jackson

Ciara Leeming

Marge Bradshaw

Bear Thomas

Grace Eardley

Anne Webster

Heather Alderson

Maeve Thompson

Radhika Parekh

Amrit Randhawa

Divya Avula

Rhian Bolton

George Gibson

Ella Otomewo

Sofija Zindule

Melody Peacock

Deeqa Ismail

Iona Schwalowsky-Monks

Samina Ali

Julia Roy- Williams

Nicola Moor

Jacob Longcake

Max Kent

David Dunnico

Liz Lock

Henry Thomas

Elizabeth McLoughlin

Fleur Yearsley

Adele Jordan

Isaac Jordan

Sarah-Joy Ford

Tilly Johnson

John-Paul Brown

Claire Curtin

Melissa Haigh

Maryanne Royle

Rowland Hill

Shannon Tran

Mollie Balshaw

Rebekah Beasley

Helen Davies

Izzy Hellam

Simon Woolham

Mike Chavez-Dawson

Hannah Wooll

Gwen Riley Jones

Lula Braimbridge

Tanith Mab

Nasima Bee

Mikesian Studio

Pip Watkins

Anna Robson

Ana Lucía Cuevas

Samantha Sidebottom

Elizabeth Wewiora

Parham Ghalamdar

Mei Yuk Wong

Kay Shah

Jamie Kirk

Jasmine Gardner

Ally Fallon

Ellie Cunningham

Shawn J Stephen

Mat Greaves

Federico Cossu

Ngozi Ugochukwu

Aida Foroutan

Elaine Fisher

Ella Jones

Isobel Shore

Naomi Harwin

Humberto Vélez

Sara Alwagfi

Kate Roper

Nell Smith

Natasha E.R. Withington

Beth Louise Halstead

Jack Clarke

Steve Whitewood

Amber Masters

Bilal Zafar Ranjha

Sacha F. Martinek

Rebecca Tutthill

Lily Brown

Gabriel Bennett Lovejoy

Alison Lord

KittyAurora

Danny Igoe

Dani Molyneux

Jacques Bara

Johnny Humes

Team Trident Press

Lisa Lorenz

Nan Collantine

Ella Mcintosh

Levi Felix Holton

Merike van de Vijver

Pita Santos

Hazel Stileman

Eve Gittins

Sarah Feinmann

Holly Staniforth

Victoria Hilton

Imogen Ella Richards

Maisie Pritchard

Martha Harris

Rowan Bridgwood

Becks Gio Joe

Phoebe Price

Charmagne Coble

Alicja Mrozowska

Olivia Madland Shorter

Lee Cooper

Bridget Coderc

IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST OR CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL IN SOLIDARITY PLEASE SIGN BELOW

261
signatures
234 verified
  1. Melania Pahome, Artist-Curator
  2. Amie kirby, Freelance cultural & creative producer, writer & researcher, Manchester
  3. David McFarlane, Artist, Freelance, Manchester
  4. Jessica El Mal, Artist and Curator, Manchester
  5. Urussa
  6. Henry Raby, Leeds
  7. Oliver Chadwick, Artist, Manchester
  8. Lynda sterling, Artist, Manchester
  9. Cathy Otten, Journalist, Freelance, Manchester
  10. Faz Barber, Artist, London
  11. Ali Matthews, Artist and lecturer, Manchester
  12. Jaz Oldham, Student, Leeds
  13. shumi Bose, academic, UAL Central Saint Martins, London
  14. maya, poet, manchester
  15. V Wade
  16. Dr Neil Coombs, Artist Publisher, Dark Windows Press, Colwyn Bay
  17. Dionne Kitching, Illustrator, Freelance, Manchester
  18. Jennifer Hanns, Manchester
  19. Jaz, Student, Manchester
  20. Charlie McGee, artist, Manchester
  21. Nancy lawford, Artist, Manchetser
  22. Sorcha Boyle, Artist & programme coordinator, Liverpool
  23. Jamil Keating, Theatre maker, Freelance, Manchester
  24. Bysshe Harkavy, Director/DOP, Freelance, Manchester
  25. Jade Macdonald, Manchester
  26. Hardish Virk, Artist & Curator, Hardish Virk, BIRMINGHAM
  27. Max Chandler, Manchester
  28. James Clarke, Author, Manchester
  29. Lauge Thomsen, Arts worker, Lincoln
  30. Dr Phillip John Collier, Retired Academic, MANCHESTER
  31. Holly Robson, Manchester
  32. Daniel York Loh, Writer/Performer, London
  33. Fatima Akhtar, Student, MMU, Manchester
  34. Alfie Page, Filmmaker, Manchester
  35. Yousef Lamlum, Manchester
  36. Emma, Artist, Manchester
  37. dj muel, content creator, manchester
  38. Niamh Murphy, Artist, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
  39. Iona Clark, Photographer, Manchester
  40. Gary Kaill, Editor, Lunate Journal, Manchester
  41. Ruby Opalka, Writer, Manchester
  42. Zoe Coleman, Charity, NA, Hebden bridge
  43. brit seaton, writer/producer, manchester
  44. Salihah Dudha, Creative, Manchester
  45. Lydia Hounat, Artist, The Writing Squad, Manchester
  46. Mark Pinder, Photographer, Newcastle Upon Tyne
  47. Sebah Chaudhry, Producer and Curator, Manchester
  48. Fionn Ó Loingsigh, Actor, N/A, London
  49. Louise Grundy, Artist, Manchester
  50. Simaran Patel, Musician, Manchester
  51. Grace Ward, Manchester
  52. Rebeccah Dan, Blogger, Air and Share, Manchester
  53. Lois White, Stockport
  54. Imrana Mahmood, Freelance Creative Producer, Luton
  55. Louella Hartigan, Take Up Space mcr, Manchester
  56. Zaffar Kunial, poet, Hebden Bridge
  57. Sarah Walker, Designer-researcher, MMU, Manchester
  58. Laylah Hough, Artist, Luton
  59. Bethan Kelly, Photographer, Manchester
  60. Balraj Samrai, Musician, Manchester
  61. Jennifer Steele, Artist, Manchester
  62. Rebecka, Manchester
  63. Shireen Malik, Art Therapist, Manchester
  64. caroline wardle, Artist, Pet portraits byCaz, Elderslie
  65. Karen Clarke, Project Manager, The Human Race, Manchester
  66. Kayleigh Swanson, Manchester
  67. Lauren Wroe, Researcher, Durham University, Manchester
  68. Abbie Fowler, Artist, Manchester
  69. Dylan Best, Artist, Manchester
  70. Nyssa Mirza, Humanitarian professional and freelance poet, Surrey
  71. Guy Ware, Writer, London
  72. Ryan Cooper, Film maker, RMCVideograhpy, Manchester
  73. G Gee, Manchester
  74. Chris Shortt, Designer, Cambridge
  75. Jay McAvoy, Artist, Manchester
  76. Hanna Bassa, Teacher, Bedford
  77. Paul Kerr, Events creative, Rat Depot, Leeds
  78. Alexandra Creighton, Curatorial Administrator, International Slavery Museum, Liverpool
  79. Alexia Pepper de Caires, Cultural worker, Back To Books, Birmingham
  80. Osman Bari, Designer, London
  81. Leila Herandi, Actor, Manchester
  82. Anita Smith, Textile artist & Potter, Manchester
  83. Diyora Shadijanova, Writer and journalist, Bromley, Greater London
  84. Jasmine Stainton, Marketing Executive, Leeds
  85. Lydia Marshall, Artist, Manchester
  86. Zahra Iqbal, Manchester
  87. NYAH CORMIE, MSoA, Manchester
  88. Sarah white, Writer, Stockport
  89. Alana Lake, Artist, Manchester
  90. Briony Spandler, Writer & Designer, Leeds
  91. Marwa Dulaimi, Architectural Designer, London
  92. Lorenza Casini, Architect, Manchester
  93. James Ernesto Lang, Creative, Manchester
  94. Thomas D Lee, Author, Manchester
  95. William Farmer, Artist, Sheffield
  96. Luke McAleenan, Artist, Manchester
  97. India Wood, Stockport
  98. Iris Sirendi, Curator and Archivist, West Yorkshire
  99. Kirsty Thomas, Artist designer, Liverpool
  100. Nancy Nicholls, Manchester
  101. Martha Mazur, artist, Manchester
  102. Rosa Creech, Student, Bristol
  103. Benji Marrington-Reeve, Musician, Manchester
  104. Harvey Weedon, Artist, Manchester
  105. Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora, Visual artist and photographer, Birmingham
  106. Mathew Kerry, Manchester
  107. John Clifford, Poet, Manchester
  108. Phia Eastwick, Songwriter/Producer, Manchester
  109. Lauren Willis, Artist, Stratford Upon Avon
  110. Sophia Rose Cook, Student, Durham University, Sale
  111. Terri C Orange, Poet, Manchester
  112. Sara H Rathore, Manchester
  113. Oonah Illingworth, Manchester
  114. James Harker, Playwright, Manchester
  115. Caroline Astiago, Writer
  116. Bilal Zafar Ranjha, Artist, Manchester
  117. Mathew Coffey, Salford
  118. Eddie Auriel Jones, writer, written off publishing
  119. Tumi Mary ogundamisi, London
  120. Aslam Khan, Retired, Manchester
  121. Alia Alzougbi, Artist & Artistic Director, Manchester
  122. Said Wardak, Solicitor, Amicus Solicitors Ltd, Manchester
  123. William Keam, Bartender, Manchester
  124. Orla Hickey, artist/freelancer, Freelancer, Nottingham
  125. Gemma whiteley, Artistic director, Company Four, Manchester
  126. Adeola Adelakun, Curator, Cultureville, Manchester
  127. Asma, Officer, Civil service, Sheffield
  128. lagoon myers, manchester
  129. Tsvetelina Yordanova, Producer, Freelance, Lancaster
  130. Jordan Linton, Artist, onlytheantscansaveusnow, Salford
  131. Isabel Bristow, Wolverhampton
  132. Hattie Kongaunruan, Artist/Producer
  133. Afsheen Ahmad, Manchester
  134. Yasmin Kowal, student, MMU, manchester
  135. Charlotte Williams, Student, Manchester
  136. Francesca Pivaro, Filmmaker and editor, Freelance, Liverpool
  137. Devra Wiseman, artist/ sub-editor, North West Bylines, Leatherhead
  138. Gareth Davies, Promoter, Buried Sounds, Salford
  139. Tia long, Artist, Manchester
  140. Aisha ali, Scientist, NHS, Manchester
  141. Hannah butt, Wilmslow
  142. Leyla Barakat, Artist, Manchester
  143. Orrin Whitehead St Pierre, Photographer, Self employed, Manchester
  144. Imran, Manchester
  145. Régine Debatty, art critic
  146. Aliyah Hussain, Artist, Todmorden
  147. Pagan Boydell, Manchester
  148. Martha Haywood, Artist and arts facilitator, Ebor Studio, Greater Manchester
  149. Eden Wood, Stockport
  150. Michael Powell, Artist, Todmorden
  151. Jacob Holdsworth, Student, Manchester
  152. Dennis Queen, Musician, Manchester
  153. Summer smith, Accountant, HOME Open Exhibition 2024, Manchester
  154. Ollie Warrington, Nurse, NHS, Salford
  155. Daniel Findell, Poet, Manchester
  156. Victoria, Art Technician, St Helens
  157. Kai Edwatds, Artist, Manchester
  158. Nadine Chapman, Studeny, Manchester
  159. Carol Fitzgerald, Salford
  160. Harriet Morley, Artist, LJMU MA Student, Liverpool
  161. Ruth Tuck, Artist, Manchester
  162. Barbara Hulme, Artist, Manchester
  163. Flora Thomasson, Actor, Edinburgh
  164. Zoe Drew, Student, Manchester
  165. Mercedes Tarling, Artist, Manchester
  166. Lil Bovill, Performer, Spinning Slags, Manchester
  167. James Clare, Manchester
  168. Kirsty Fife, Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
  169. Julie Rose Woods, retired, Preston
  170. Efea Rutlin, Assistant Curator, Studio Voltaire, London
  171. Bushra ahmad, Houseperson, Manchester
  172. Elizabeth Delahunt, Artist, Manchester
  173. Sophie Waldie, Event Professional, Freelance, Sale
  174. Robyn Adams, actress and filmmaker, Manchester
  175. The Written Off Publishing team, Publisher, Written Off Publishing, Northwich
  176. Sarah Ponman, Social housing, NA, Manchester
  177. Rina Sufri, Manchester
  178. Finlay Dale, artist, manchester
  179. Ayesha Ansari, Independent bookseller, Manchester
  180. Charlie Parker, Writer, Freelance, Sheffield
  181. Beth Powell, Artist & community worker, Manchester
  182. Steve Dearden, Writer, Producer, Stockport
  183. Quigley CB, Writer, Manchester
  184. Harriet Bell, Manchester
  185. Hannah Corbett, Artist, Manchester
  186. Danielle Blee, Edinburgh
  187. Alexia Pieretti, Manchester
  188. Jon McGrath, PRODUCER, FutureEverything, Manchester
  189. Rebecca Vasey, Student, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool
  190. Matt Fasullo, Artist, Toronto
  191. Alyssa Jade Walker, Radiographer, NHS, WOLVERHAMPTON
  192. Fiona Hutchings, Poet, Sheffield
  193. Jas Sykes, artist, Manchester
  194. Muhammed Farooq
  195. Stefan Sykes, Civil Servant, Leeds
  196. Danielle Free, MA Student, Shrewsbury
  197. Kathryn Blair, Writer, London
  198. F Khan
  199. Eve kelly, Artist, Manchester
  200. Dr Jo Clement, Poet and Editor, Newcastle
  201. Hanan Mohamed, Radiographer, NHS Wolverhampton, Birmingham
  202. Lucy Simons-Weston, Cinematography Facilitator, N/A, Manchester / Leicester
  203. Glen James Brown, writer, Manchester
  204. Maariyah Fulat, Photographer, Manchester
  205. Amy Siobhan, Artist, Manchester
  206. Bushra Mubashar, Teacher, Secondary PRU, ILFORD
  207. Joseph Stevens, Lead Promoter/Events Manager, Third Summer Music, Manchester
  208. Dylan Sykes, Interior designer, Salford
  209. Kayleigh Nelson, Chester
  210. Louis Balmer, MANCHESTER
  211. Viv Yau, Marketing, Bee influence, Manchester
  212. Eshan Shah, Medic, Manchester
  213. Thomas Jackson, Director, Prickle Productions, Manchester
  214. Sophia Tang, Social Media Strategist, Manchester
  215. Jackson Castillo Evans, Manchester
  216. Sam, Artist, MANCHESTER
  217. Paula Fenwick Lucas, Artist
  218. Melissa Holmes, Theatre Technician, London
  219. Aisha Akram, Poet, Manchester
  220. Beena Nouri, Artist, Independent, Manchester
  221. Dan Gould, Filmmaker, Trashmachine, Manchester
  222. Daniel Povey, TV Runner, BBC, Manchester
  223. Hayimeana Demir, Digital Marketing, Freelance, Manchester
  224. Rachel Grunnill, Manchester
  225. Tayiba, Translator, Manchester
  226. Kate Feld, Writer and photographer, BURY
  227. Ianthe Warlow, Photographer and Writer, Manchester
  228. Sophie Cosgrove, Artist, Manchester
  229. Patrick Clough, Punk, Manchester
  230. Joe Evans, Creative, Manchester
  231. Rimsha Sawant, Student, Manchester metropolitan university, Blackburn
  232. Jules Lamb, Freelance Creative & Event Welfare Volunteer, N/A, Manchester
  233. Richard Garner, Artist, SLOWY, Manchester
  234. Kevin Grist, Creative Director, Electric Medway, Chatham
Create an open letter
and sign it together