The Migrant Festival

From 14–17 June, Ikon hosted The Migrant Festival; a four day festival fusing themes of migration, fashion, art and music. Curated by fashion designer Osman Yousefzada, it was organised to coincide with his exhibition at Ikon Being Somewhere Else (6–29 June 2018).

Events included a film screening of The True Cost (2015) with an e-introduction by Executive Producer Livia Firth; fashion activist Caryn Franklin in conversation with Oriole Cullen, Curator of Fashion and Textiles at the V&A; Diaspora Disco, a night of reggae and disco including DJs from Saathi Night and a headline set from London-based artists George Henry Longly and Prem Deep; and much more.

“The Migrant Festival reflected the different voices, narratives and histories running through Osman Yousefzada’s Ikon exhibition Being Somewhere Else.  Both the installation and festival are specific to Osman’s concerns as a fashion designer, providing insight into the industry at a local and global level, and how this has shaped, and ultimately divided, his family and extended community with its roots in Birmingham.  Whilst the causes of migration, for economic, political and environmental reasons were explored, the festival was a celebration of creative talent and free expression across art forms. This is a programme that Ikon would like to continue to run, with different curatorial leads, in the future.”
Linzi Stauvers, Ikon’s Head of Learning

Ikon would like to thank everyone involved in the festival including our partners, guest speakers and festival supporters Selfridges, Leila Elling, Dazed and Michael Marsh Charitable Trust.