Azraq: Visit One

In 2014, we asked our local community in London to support us to work with Syrian refugees at Azraq Camp in Jordan. We’d been developing our process for making art in situations of adversity for 15 years, and wanted to take our expertise to help with the crisis.

Together with local charity Bold Vision, some crowdfunding, and a lot of community goodwill, we made our first visit later that year. We were lucky to be hosted by CARE International in Jordan and have gone on to return five times since then.

On our first visit, Catherine trained a group of young people to use a visual evaluation process. And Patricio got down to the paint shop to buy supplies to start making what was later called PEACE Rocks! – a kind of rock & colour fondue process for the children to engage in a joyful activity, and turn what is traditionally seen as a weapon into a precious stone. So joyful in fact that the adults couldn’t help joining in too. Everyone was drawn to the beautiful transformation of these once-simple objects and wanted to have and have one in their home.

With a group of volunteers, we also created a colorful artwork on a public square with a sense of identity and community, using a very simple diamond shape design that brightens up the space. as well as making it feel lighter and more positive.