A new year-long cultural programme has opened at Boojum and Snark in Sandown, spearheaded by artist and curator Tracy Mikich and supported by Arts Council England.
The programme includes three exhibitions, a series of creative writing workshops, as well as events exploring displacement, sanctuary and community.
A modern folktale meets real-world stories
The first exhibition, Chuffle, features a contemporary myth created by Tracy and artist Teresa Grimaldi, telling the story of Tamillia, a tiger fleeing persecution in search of a new home.
Tracy said,
“When Teresa and I began Chuffle, a story about a tiger fleeing persecution, we knew that the central themes were about seeking and finding refuge.
“It was inspired by the work of the Wildheart Sanctuary, but also an experiment in myth-making – a modern folktale if you will.”
The story has been published as a booklet in collaboration with Brevity, the Isle of Wight’s Literary Handbill, and poet Maggie Sawkins, with design and print by Tommy Brentnall.
Art by young asylum seekers takes centre stage
The exhibition also includes work by unaccompanied children seeking asylum, curated by artist and educator, Elisa Ackroyd.
Elisa has spent the last three years leading weekly art sessions at a Brussels residential centre for young people arriving alone. She says,
“Expressing themselves freely in a safe environment can help them process their experiences or simply relax for a bit and start to connect with themselves after usually a very long and dangerous journey.”
Each painting is accompanied by a short narrative, giving a glimpse into the emotional journeys of those who created them.
You+Me=Us: sharing a message of community
One of the young artists, 16-year-old Karim, titled his painting You+Me=Us – a phrase that became the name of this section of the exhibition.
Karim’s work shows a ship with shutters “that open and close for stability and direction.” As he painted, he says, “I could relax and stop thinking and thinking.”
Photographic exhibition
The exhibition also features photographs by Giles Clarke, a photojournalist known for capturing the impact of conflict on communities.
One image shows a student at Aal Okab School in Yemen, standing in the ruins of a classroom destroyed during fighting in 2015.
You can listen to a podcast conversation OnTheWight had with Giles in 2019 about his work.
Writing workshops and shared discussion
Brevity will lead flash fiction workshops in April and May, inviting participants to respond to the exhibition’s themes. Dates will be announced shortly.
On Saturday 17th May at 6.30pm, Boojum and Snark will host a Subculture Club event featuring Philippa Daley from Community Action Isle of Wight.
Philippa has been working with the Isle of Wight council to support over 100 Ukrainian families on the Island. Her talk will be followed by a roundtable discussion on belonging and displacement.
The event includes a shared vegetarian meal, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available. Entry is pay-what-you-like, and booking is essential via the event’s page on Eventbrite.
Opening hours and how to visit
Chuffle opens on Friday 28th March 2025 with a launch event from 6pm to 8pm.
From April to November, Boojum and Snark will be open Fridays (11am–7pm) and Saturdays (11am–5pm), with additional access for events and workshops.
Visitors will find a small selection of drinks and refreshments available during opening hours. Further details can be found on Boojum and Snark’s website
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